Author Topic: Minnesota Bear Hunt, 2004 (Read 1885 times)

talon · « **on:** January 15, 2004, 03:19:37 PM »

The '04 Regs haven't come out yet, but the season will be from 1 Sept for 6 weeks or so. The application procedures will probably be like last year, but the DNR is having more and more of its sports activities admin things done on the 'net. The MN DNR site is very usable now... it just doesn't have any of the '04 things listed yet. The first milestone having to do with bear hunting will be in mid-March when the hunt quota application information is posted on the site. If you are thinking about a Fall hunt this year, it's not to early to start planning. (MN has no Spring hunting). I'll update this thread next month at this time unless someone else does it for us.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2004, 03:12:02 PM »

A few of us old Iowa people are interested in a hunt for a Bear( I can't get them to go for a wild boar) So can you you point me in the right direction for info? I can tell you we are not interested in a lottery, waiting periods or any thing similar.
TNA
Jim

Geno · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2004, 05:29:21 PM »

Jim N Iowa
try this link to MN DNR web site, non-res licenses with links to whatever interests you, bear etc,,, not much worry about preference points and so on last year, some area were under subscribed, and there is always non quota area tags available over the counter

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/hunting/index.html?type=hunting#nonres

freddogs · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2004, 10:45:55 AM »

I'd like to try it again. I have a couple friends up in Duluth who will help me. Trying to get them fired up for bear is like motivating fish to play baseball. They'll help, but they don't have a high reguard for bears. I'd have to find the bait sites myself. It would be a reasonably priced hunt. Two years ago I tried it but our baits weren't being hit. Last year my buddies didn't get the applications sent in on time.

freddogs · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2004, 10:21:12 AM »

Does anyone know when the 2004 regs will come out? I want a better start than last year.

talon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2004, 03:14:33 PM »

firedogs, I'm still waiting for the MN DNR to get back to me on the current status, re: 2004 Bear hunt. However, I have heard that late this month applications will start being accepted for hunting in the Northern Control Areas. (see GENO's site reference above to take you right to the DNR page that starts the application process) There are no state charges for the application, but I believe you will 'get a black mark' if you are selected and then don't purchase the licence. Also, I believe that there will be no changes to the Big Game & Bear Hunt sections printed in '03, at least none that would be significant. Too, as has been mentioned, about 50% of the state doesn't require pre-application, but these areas have few bears. the mileposts in the bear hunt are these: 30 March until about 10 May-apply for the area you want to hunt in. July: receive notice (or not) of getting a tag. The day after you get the notice: make final 'contract' with your guide. About a week after you get your notice- pay for your licence. 1 Sept: start hunting. (For non-controlled areas, you can get your tag the day before you start hunting) The DNR site has pages showing how the State is divided up into bear areas, and lists quite a few guides by area/town. For those who want a laugh, the DNR also has a list of "authorized" cartridges that you can use. Unless they've updated it, all the new cartridges haven't been listed yet.

freddogs · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2004, 04:49:25 AM »

I saw their list of authorized cartridges. I'm sure this is from their desire to not miss any regulation possible. I also looked at past three years harvest results, that was kind of interesting. I guess I'm just getting impatient.

talon · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2004, 04:07:27 AM »

UPDATE: The MN DNR uses a contractor to facilitate Bear Hunt lottery applications. While using the link GENO provided above to file for one over the 'net, it will cost $3.50. It appears that the system is up and operating now. Before you apply, be sure what Bear Area you want to hunt and if there are several of you who want to hunt together (If you apply as a group, either all of you or none of you will be selected). The application deadline is May 7th. Notifications will be mailed out o/a June 30th. (In the past two years, the DNR web site has posted a secure list of the successful applicants several weeks before the letter/rule booklet go out.) For those having access to a local MN ELS agent, applications are free. While Residents and non-residents have an equal chance to be drawn, the licence cost is about $40 for residents, and $200 for non-residents. GO TO www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/bear/hunt2004.html For recently posted current hunt info.

talon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2004, 02:11:36 PM »

Reference my 20 March item: the MN DNR has recently added the option of applying by mail for a Bear licence. The forms (pdf file) are found at the site mentioned in my item and the hyper link button is found about 8" below the top of that web page. There's forms for non-residents applying for the Quota area lottery licence as well as the no-quota area. It is still recommended that residents apply via their ELS agent though.

talon · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2004, 12:49:06 PM »

For you procrastinators out there, you only have 2 weeks left to sign up for the lottery!

freddogs · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2004, 06:57:07 AM »

Thanks for the reminder. I got off my butt and sent in for area 31. There must be a few bears there. My buddy has a cabin by Brimson where I can stay.

talon · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2004, 07:39:23 AM »

For those of you who bagged a Minnesota bear last year... you should be receiving your iron-on patch from the DNR today, or early next week.
Now that the Lottery application dead line is past the next milestone is notification of the successful applicants by the DNR. Officially, this should happen just prior to 1 July when the "Bear Book" arrives in the mail. In the last few years, the DNR has posted a web page so all who submitted can see if they were drawn. You will need your DNR # or Drivers licence to enter the list, and then you can only find out about your own application... no one elses ( unless they give you the numbers to check for them). While the DNR hasn't indicated this will be a standard practice, sometimes they post the web page 1 or 2 weeks prior to mailing out the booklets.

ihookem · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2004, 03:16:52 PM »

Out of state hunters will be paying quite an increase this year. $300. Up from $196 last year.

talon · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2004, 04:01:57 PM »

ihookem, what state and what year are you speaking about? The non-resident Bear licence for Minnesota for the 2004 season is $196.

ihookem · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2004, 04:44:36 PM »

Maybe I had the wrong state, but I thought that's what I read. I was a little supprised so maybe I'm wrong.

talon · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2004, 07:39:43 AM »

The lottery results for the bear hunt have been posted on the MN DNR web site, and mail notifications went out within the past few days.

Geno · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2004, 10:09:22 AM »

looks like I'll be going hunting this year in zone 26.
link to check results:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/lotteries/bear.html

good luck everyone.

Maine_Hound_Hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2004, 10:16:06 AM »

Good luck Geno! What will you be using to try to take down a black bear?

wesk · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:01:17 AM »

I just got a notice from Minn DNR that I can hunt in zone 51 this fall for bear. Any good suggestions on public land or ( private for that matter) to check out for baiting? I'm a rookie to this zone.

Geno · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2004, 02:18:45 PM »

Maine_Hound_hunter: I'm primarily an archer when it comes to bear. Sometimes I carry my Contender (45/70) along if the weather is a consideration (rain).

Wesk: Area 51 is an outstanding area, and very huge. You'll likely have a lot of hunters in the area. From my experience in this area (actually any area) get as remote as you can, as far from main roads, towns, people and all activity. The southern part of 51 is heavily hunted because its an easy drive from Mpls/St Paul. The DeLorme Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer is a very good source for maps, wildlife areas etc to do your initial scouting from home. Gander mountain and other places carry these. MN DNR used to have a map available on request, Minnesota Wildlife Lands which listed all the State Wildlife Management areas open to public hunting (free). The MN DNR also has excellant maps PRIM (Public Recreation Information Map) for $3.95 available at most sporting goods stores. But one thing you cant have is GPS coordinates to my baits.
good luck to you all , hope this helps.

talon · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2004, 10:10:25 AM »

For the 2nd time ever, fewer folks applied for a MN bear tag than there were tags available. This year only 16,397 applied for the estimated 25,000 bears out there. But, at an average success rate of 22%, there will be enough bears left after the smoke clears to continue the healthy population. There are lots of reasons for the 'low' 22% rate. Some hunters only hunt for a day or two, on their own, not knowing what they are really doing. Some get tags just to 'settle up' with one who's been eating thir screen door or garbage can, and then find that after 7 AM on 1 Sept all bears get mity cautious. Some tag holders hold out for "the really big one" and never snap a cap. Then there's a small percentage that after seeing Mr Bear 65 yards away in a secluded forest, decide that maybe they prefer not to shoot that rifle they never did zero in to start with. In my experience true hunters that can spend a week of afternoons hunting over an active bait, have a 95% chance of seeing bear(s), an 85% change of getting a good shot, and a 75% chance of telling a taxidermist exactly how they want their trophy cared for. If they use and listen to a local guide, even less time and higher percentages will be achieved.

freddogs · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2004, 08:35:25 AM »

I got my confirmation too. I've been so busy I hardly looked at it. I'm hunting the area north of Duluth. I'll have to figure out what weapon to use. I'd better check to make sure my cartridge is on the list for bear hunting.

talon · « **Reply #22 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:08:09 AM »

I'm not sure how the DNR keeps that list of "authorized cartridges" up to date, but none of the new short magnums are listed. If your's isn't listed, I'd call or e-mail the DNR to check. The wardens only enforce the regs, not necessarily make judgements in the field for something so 'black and white' as this.

freddogs · « **Reply #23 on:** June 25, 2004, 08:34:22 AM »

I was only kidding but I suppose it's important. I've never had a warden look at what cartridge was in a gun. I don't have any new short magnums. I'd like to use the muzzleloader or contender but I just got a 45/70 buffalo rifle that I could break in. I'm pretty sure 45/70 is on the list.

talon · « **Reply #24 on:** July 20, 2004, 08:06:23 AM »

Freddogs, the 2004 Hunting Regulation Booklets have just been sent to those who sell licences here in MN. Have your buddy pick one up and send it to you. I'm sure that the web master will update the MN DNR site with the new regs in a few days. I see that the old ones (2003) are still posted though.

talon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 10, 2004, 12:58:01 PM »

The DNR has posted the 2004 Hunting Regulations on their site. Also, this is the 2nd day of "surplus" licence sales for the 'regulated' Bear areas of Minnesota. There was quite a few non-applied for licences available the last time I checked. Further details are available on the Bear page of the MN DNR site (see Geno's 1 June entry above)

talon · « **Reply #26 on:** August 16, 2004, 06:16:55 PM »

Today is the 4th day of baiting. I've heard that bears seem to be very plentiful, at least in area 25. LOTS of activity. The season opens in just over 2 weeks from now.

talon · « **Reply #27 on:** September 30, 2004, 12:11:39 PM »

FREE bear Hunting CD available:::: One of the services the MN DNR provides to bear hunters is an evening clinic held all over the state that tells about bears, and bear hunting... the soup to nuts stuff. Just recently the DNR made up a CD ROM on the "clinic material" and is making it available, free, to those that ask. I suppose that if you are a resident, or plan to maybe hunt bears in the state sometime in the future, you are a candidate for this CD. Or, if you are in the DNR in another State, maybe you can get some ideas on how to help out the bear hunters there. Just call the MN DNR Safety Draining section at 1-800-366-8917 and have them send you one.