The DNR today announced preliminary results for the 2025 bear season. This fall, bear hunters harvested 3,724 bears during the 35-day season. That places this season on par with the five-year average of about 3,800 bears annually.
This year’s harvest was slightly below the overall harvest target of 4,075 bears, but within the expected range of harvest for this fall.
“Reports from the field seemed variable this year,” said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. “Some hunters reported this was one of the best years of bear hunting they’ve experienced, while others were challenged by abundant acorns and corn, reducing the effectiveness of their baits. Bear hunters across the state also faced below-average temperatures in the beginning part of the season, followed by above-average temperatures towards the end of the season, each of which can affect bear activity. Overall, hunter success rates ended up slightly below average, translating to overall bear harvest right about where we anticipated.”
The 2025 bear season ran from Sept. 3 to Oct. 7. A total of 13,110 bear hunting licenses were awarded to hunters through the license lottery system.
Statewide, hunter success was about 28%, slightly below the five-year average hunter success rate of 32%. Hunter success rates in individual zones varied from as high as 69% in Zone A to less than 10% in Zones E and F.
