Strong numbers for Minnesota’s bear hunting season

(MNN)-Minnesota’s bear hunting season officially ended on October 12th, and Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News broke down the results. Last year was a record-setter, with 3,500 bears harvested—nearly double the 1,818 taken in 2023. A typical season averages around 2,500 bears. Schmitt noted that hunting activity surged during the final two weeks of the season, significantly boosting this year’s total. Bear harvests during that period were up 40% compared to the same stretch last year. The preliminary harvest total for 2025 stands at nearly 2,900 bears, above average, but short of last year’s record.