MNBEAR

11/13/2025

Bear researchers need bear den reports! 🐻

🤳 Minnesota DNR is interested in receiving reports of bear dens (especially if located near Brainerd, Grand Rapids, and Duluth).

✅ Anyone finding a den in any of the three areas should obtain a GPS location (if possible) and call DNR bear research in Grand Rapids at 218-328-8874 or 218-328-8879. Having pictures (from a safe distance) is also helpful.

🍼 The purpose of this research is to document bear movements on the landscape and assess the age of first reproduction in these study areas.

❌ Each year, we ask bear hunters to avoid harvesting collared bears, as these individuals play a vital role in understanding their species.

📊 The DNR has a long-term monitoring project to assess survival, reproduction and movement of bears in Minnesota. We use this information to keep our finger on the pulse of the bear population and inform harvest quotas. The age of first reproduction appears to be changing in some areas of Minnesota, and the DNR is looking to understand how and why.

Interested in learning more about Minnesota's bear research? Check out our recorded webinar featuring bear project leader Andy Tri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srblFNoSsck&feature=youtu.be

10/23/2025

More than 164,000 applications were submitted for 172 tags, hurting hunters' odds of winning one

09/19/2025

We had an absolute blast chatting with Juliet from Stern Game Recovery! From licking arrows (yes, you read that right) to some truly wild recovery stories, t...

09/12/2025

The preliminary bear harvest for the first week of Minnesota’s season was around 1,600, about 1,000 fewer than last year’s first week.

09/08/2025

A black bear attacked an Arkansas man on Sept. 3. Wildlife officials say it's the state's first black bear attack in more than two decades: https://trib.al/cFHGeMY

09/04/2025

Our good friends at Wheezy Outdoors Guide Service are having another great year of bear hunting. Way to get things done guys. Love seeing these trophy pics. Keep sharing!

Congrats to Ray on Bear #2! What a Toad!! We cant wait to get this one on the scale!

07/23/2025

Don’t miss the Black Bear Show this weekend in Barnum, Minnesota!

Join fellow hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and bear hunting supporters for a weekend packed with gear vendors, expert speakers, hunting seminars, raffles, and all things black bear. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, there’s something for everyone.

📍 Location: Barnum, MN
📅 Dates: July 25-27
🎟️ Family friendly – Bring your hunting crew!

Come celebrate Minnesota’s rich bear hunting culture and gear up for the fall season! 🏹🐾

https://www.blackbearshow.com/

07/22/2025

🚨 HUNTERS, PAY ATTENTION — The Feds Are Coming for Bear Baiting on Public Lands 🚨

A dangerous piece of legislation was just introduced in Congress: the so-called “Don’t Feed the Bears Act.” If passed, this federal bill would ban bear baiting on all U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands nationwide — regardless of what the states and wildlife professionals say.

This is an attack on science-based wildlife management and hunting traditions.

❌ It’s a one-size-fits-all mandate written by people who don’t understand bear behavior or real-world conservation.
❌ It strips authority from states and wildlife agencies who already regulate baiting with strict guidelines.
❌ It ignores the fact that baiting helps ensure ethical, humane harvests by giving hunters better visibility and shot placement.
❌ It sets a dangerous precedent — if the federal government can ban baiting, what’s next?

Bear baiting isn’t just a hunting method — it’s a tool for managing bear populations, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and supporting conservation funding through license sales.

🛑 This bill is not about safety or science — it’s about politics. And it’s coming for YOUR public land hunting opportunities.

👉 Contact your representatives and tell them: Hands off our public lands. Let the states manage wildlife. Protect hunting rights.

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/detroit/news/bear-baiting-ban-federal-bill-introduced-thanedar/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLsehZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiU_RyPS9krhbOhNOprPWKnDPDApBRoocYW7m0NpsLGteD3TEuwxfOpbso7d_aem_ydRO1Q7aGX3rdUG14t_ypg

The Don't Feed the Bears Act was introduced to the U.S. House by Rep. Thanedar on Wednesday.

07/18/2025

Join us as we welcome Bernie Barringer, affectionately known as the "Bear Professor," to discuss the highly anticipated International Black Bear Show in Barn...

06/30/2025

06/28/2025

Wow. Congrats.

Leah does it all! Way to go on an incredible bear 🔥
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"🏆Late Season Manitoba Monster🏆
Pope and Young Record Book
~500lb, 13 years old, 20 0/16” skull
6/12/25🏹"
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06/23/2025

After 5 years, I finally got drawn to hunt this fall. Glad to see some bears just roaming through. Hopefully, some shooters will come to the bait this fall.