Author Topic: MN Bear Hunt, 2005 (Read 1537 times)

talon · « **on:** March 30, 2005, 05:04:33 AM »

The Minnesota DNR has posted general information concerning this Fall's Bear hunting at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/bear/hunt2005.html . Residents apply through their local Electronic Licence System Agent, and non-residents apply on line via hyper link from the DNR's page.

talon · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2005, 04:09:55 AM »

Forgot to mention that this year the cut-off for applying for the lottery for the "quota areas" is 6 May. That's 3 weeks away. It's a lot earlier than last year. It may be that Minnesota is finally ready to give successful applicants 2 months lead time to prepare for the hunt rather than just 3 weeks!!

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:32:59 AM »

talon,

Got my app. in last week. Where do you hunt?? We hunt up near Roseau.

Handwerk · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:25:25 PM »

Any of you guys have advice on calling and or using scents? I'll be trying for bear up here by Grand Marias for the 1st time.

talon · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 04:58:55 AM »

HuntingGuy, I've hunted area 25 exclusively for 12 years. That's where I live and there's Lots and Lots of Bears.
Handwerk, Unless you are an experienced bear hunter I'd not try calling. If you are hunting with a guide I'd pay attention to what he (she) recommends. I've been lead to believe that using sent to attract bears is very effective, especially when used with eatable bait. Also, a cover sent for yourself isn't a bad idea either. It's more important, I think , to be clean as possible, and wear odor free cloths, and have nothing to snack on when waiting for a bear to come to your stand. Bears can smell out food from miles away, and they can smell out unclean hunters further than that.
By the way, I just received my "MN Bear Patch" from the DNR yesterday. If you were a successful hunter, and sent in the tooth sample, you should be getting your patch this week.

talon · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2005, 05:54:59 AM »

The notifications to successful 2005 applicants for the 'controlled' bear areas in Minnesota have been mailed, and the DNR has listed the dialog box that will tell you if you were selected or not on their 'Bear Hunt' page of their web site.

talon · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2005, 06:39:08 AM »

Update to Bear Season: 16,149 Hunt applicants applied for the available 15,950 permits in the 11 'controlled areas' this year. ( A lot of the State is ' uncontrolled' with unlimited permits available) Some areas were undersubscribed, and later in the year those that didn't get a tag in their 1st area of choice can apply for their 2nd choice. Of the approximately 25,000 bears in MN, the DNR hopes that about 3500 will be harvested to maintain a healthy population. Successful applicants can start purchasing their licences as of 1 July. Also, it is very probable that next year bear baiting can only be done by those that have hunting licences ( and probably registered Guides) in the specified bear hunt area.

Bldr Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:55:04 AM »

Got selected for area 51! :grin:
This will be my first year bear hunting, my friend and I have talked about doing it for years just never got around to it. I went up this weekend and set up some trail cams to scout some areas for baiting and can't wait to go back up and check them.

Is it wrong to get this excited this early? If it is I don't want to be right.

wijim · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2005, 06:20:14 AM »

religiously descent your cameras!....i just lost another one as i wasn't carefull enough....better yet get cages for em...lol

talon · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2005, 06:43:46 AM »

One more month until Minnesota Bear Season. Baiting starts in two weeks!!

talon · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2005, 10:25:52 AM »

Baiting has been underway in Minnesota for a week. Recent heavy rains in the northern part of the state, and the lingering blueberry crop, has lead to only mediocre results of having bears active on bait, particularly in area 25. However, twelve days remain to operner. Hopefully the situation will improve.

Bldr Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2005, 09:37:01 AM »

Only a few more days left! Anyone else having a tough time sleeping? I'm counting down the hours, especially since my bait is finally being hit.

Two Bears · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2005, 09:18:07 PM »

I cant wait either I am going up on Saturday early to start my bait line.

I have been so busy that I could not get up north to start my bait sites yet and to make it worse I only have 2.5 days to hunt :shock: But Most of the time we get baits hit the first night so it with any luck I might have a chance to harvest a bear this year. I hope!

Handwerk · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2005, 07:38:54 AM »

Well it's show time, good luck to all my fellow Minnesotans, I'm heading out in a couple hours, little concerned though really windy up here in Grand Marias, first year of bear hunting for me, should be interesting.

Bldr Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2005, 03:41:24 AM »

I am out in a couple of hours as well. Good luck to everyone I hope to here some good reports next week.

talon · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2005, 12:04:36 PM »

The first 5 days of the season in area 25 has not produced spectacular results. So far it looks to be one of the poorer production years. Very few large bears (200+ pounds), more than the usual number of small bears (<90 pounds), and not many in-between size. Even hindsight hasn't produced the reason for this. Yet. I wonder how the other Minnesota areas are doing? Any reports?

JEV · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2005, 06:58:44 AM »

Season has been going alright up here in the NW part of the state. We are actually having an abnormal amount of bears around right now. I filled one of my tags on opener after about 20 minutes in the stand. Not a real big bear but a good eater. There is a much larger bear that I've been trying to get in the sights but he's been pretty sneaky so far.

hippii · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2005, 09:37:28 PM »

Just got back from a hunt in zone 25
Came back with a decent 200lb (dressed and weighed) cinnamon sow
When I left Friday the people I was hunting with were having a very good year we had 14 of 16 licenses filled. Nothing huge but I think only 2 that were under 100lbs dressed. most were in the 130 to 160 range dressed. I did see in the local paper about a 630 pounder shot opening day.
I was born and raised in Int'l Falls but have moved away for any hope of a decent job. but do get up there for bear season every year for the last 4 years

talon · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2005, 04:28:03 PM »

Hippii, I live about 26 miles South of International Falls. Yes, that was one huge bear that that 1st time bear hunter from out-of-state got. Biggest one I've hurd about in this area for at least 10 years. That was on the opener (1 Sept), and "lots" of bears were to be logged in during those first 3 days. It's good to hear some sub-areas in area 25 are still doing well. Around my area it's a different story: abnormally hot weather ( in the 80s when it usually in the 40s) and apparently a second crop of blueberries have resulted in very few bears being seen around the baits and still much fewer being harvested. In two camps I know about not one bear has been brought in in 4 days( 8-11th). A very bad year locally. Also, it seems that there is an unusual number of hunters that don't know how/where to shoot a bear as a significant number of misses are being recorded. Lots of logs are being arrowed... lots of hair being clipped... few dead bear.

hippii · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2005, 07:29:50 PM »

Talon
26 miles south. that would put you either Ray Kaptogama(sp) area or Littlefork area, depending on whch way south.
We were doing most of our hunting down in Littlefork area. Thankfully everybody that I hunted with kew where to shoot them. Only 1 guy gave one a haircut opening morning, and he redeemed himself that night and shot a 225lb boar. also no tracking to speak of, farthest one ran about 60 yards and had to b shot again (3 more times to be exact) 2 rounds of buckshot and a slug inbetween the 2 rounds of buck.
I will agree about slow as of late, I took mine on the Monday 5th and they had no brought in anymore bears after that ,when I left Friday night

Hope things pick up again I know they have a few more tags to fill

Later
Dwight

talon · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:25:07 PM »

Well, The Minnesota Bear Season closed about a minute ago. It never picked back up here in area 25 after the first week of the season( 1-7 Sept) due mainly to the warm weather encouraging the blue berry crop to over extend itself. And, it's still warm! We've only had one or two frosts, and hardly any snow flurries. Strange year. On the positive side, we'll have even more healthy bears next year.