news
Applications for the 2000 Minnesota black bear hunting season will be available beginning April 1 at license agents throughout the state.
Applications for the computerized drawing will be accepted through Friday, May 5. The number of permits available this year is similar to last year. For the 2000 season, there will be 20,710 permits available in 11 quota areas, compared with 20,840 in 1999.
The 2000 bear hunting season will open Wednesday, Aug. 23, and close Oct. 15. The earlier season opener is intended to increase the bear harvest this year to a level that stabilizes the bear population. Bear harvests in recent years have consistently fallen below objectives established to reduce population growth rates.
Hunters may apply individually or in parties of up to four individuals; all hunters in a party must apply on the same form. Each hunter who entered the 1999 bear lottery has been sent a preprinted label for use on the application forms. Hunters are encouraged to use the labels on the application forms to help reduce errors and processing costs.
There is no application fee. Bear licenses cost $34 for residents and $166 for nonresidents, but hunters should not send money with their applications. Successful applicants will be notified by May 30 to submit the appropriate fees in order to receive a license.
The bear permit drawing is based on a preference system similar to the system used for antlerless deer permits and turkey permits. Hunters receive preference for each year that they apply but do not receive a permit. Permits are drawn first for those applicants who have the highest preference.
All applicants who have reached their 18th birthday by May 5 must provide a driver^s license number, Minnesota Public Safety ID number, or a 13-digit Firearms Safety Certificate number in order to apply for the drawing. Those applicants under age 18 who do not supply one of those numbers will have a number assigned and will be automatically entered into the drawing. Applicants must be at least 12 years of age prior to Aug. 23 to apply.
Portions of the bear range in east-central and northwest Minnesota will be open to an unlimited number of hunters. Licenses for this no-quota area will be available after July 1 at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul, and from all license vendors. Hunters may purchase only one bear license per year.
In 1999, there were approximately 29,000 applicants for quota area licenses. Hunters harvested a total of 3,620 bears in 1999.
Uploaded: 3/9/2000
Uploaded: 3/9/2000