Today (September 3rd) is the first day of bear hunting season in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin DNR explains that over 32,000 people applied for one of about 13,000 bear licenses available, while nearly 114,000 more opted to purchase a preference point to improve their chance to draw a license in a future lottery.
Hunters are reminded that bear hunting is open until October 7th, with specific regulations based on a hunter’s bear management zone.
Zones A, B, and D will allow dogs from today until September 9th, before bait can be introduced starting on September 10th.
Bait and all other legal methods will then be allowed from October 1st through the 7th, but dogs will not be allowed.
Zones C, E, and F will allow hunters to use only bait and other legal methods.
Wisconsin is estimated to have around 24,000 bears, which now covers more than half the state, primarily in forested regions of central and northern Wisconsin.
Bears caught during the hunt must be registered with the DNR by 5:00 p.m. on the day after recovery.
For more information about the hunt, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.
