Minnesota bear hunters had an average year for the 2025 season, with around 2,860 black bears registered by the end of the season on Oct. 12, according to preliminary figures collected by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Dan Stark, a large-carnivore specialist with the DNR, said the season started slower than average but remained fairly steady throughout the second half, possibly due to decent food conditions and unseasonably warm weather keeping black bears and hunters more active throughout the season than in previous years.

“This year’s probably more on track with what we’d expect from an average year,” Stark said.

The 2025 season saw approximately 81% of the hunter take compared to 2024, which had 3,530 bears registered — the highest take since 2003, according to annual re

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