DNR - Bear Hunting

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

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Subscribe to Bear hunting updates from Michigan DNR

The goal of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Black Bear Management Program is to maintain a healthy black bear population that provides viewing and hunting opportunities for residents, yet does not create excessive bear problems for people living near bear habitat.

To maintain this balance, an area and quota system for bear hunting that divides the state into 10 Bear Management Units (BMUs) was established in 1990. A desired bear population is determined for each unit based on the number of bear the surrounding habitat will support without causing significant problems for local residents. Each hunting season, a harvest quota is set that reflects the desired population goal for each BMU.

Applying for a Bear Hunting License

• Apply for a Bear License or Check Your Results and Preference Points

Apply May 1 - June 1, 2012. Results posted June 25, 2012.

See below for more details on how to apply.

• How to Apply and Drawing Information

• 2012 Bear Management Units Map and Information

• 2012 Bear License Quotas

• Bear Hunting License Fees

• Preference Point Information

• Applying with a Party

• 2011 Bear Drawing Information PDF icon
This information about last season's bear drawing may help hunters determine how many preference points are needed for the hunt areas they are interested in.

Bear Hunting Regulations

• 2012 Bear Hunting Digest PDF icon

• 2012 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest (HTML)

• 2011 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest

• Bear Registration Stations by County

• Validating Kills and Tagging Big Game

• General, Baiting and Dog Rules

After Harvesting a Bear

• Carcass Care, Tooth Collection and Female Reproductive Tract Collection

• Check Lab Results

• Bear Hunting Reporting Option

• Bear Harvest Report Form
Completing this short questionnaire will help us evaluate hunter success and total harvest, information we will use to better manage bear in Michigan and help establish hunting seasons that you enjoy. We need information from you even if you did not hunt or harvest a bear.

More Information

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• Wolf/Dog Conflicts