The two-bear limit is being implemented in an effort to curb the growth of Minnesota's burgeoning bear population while at the same time responding to hunter's concerns regarding overcrowding, according to Steve Merchant, the DNR's Forest Wildlife Program leader. Yet, our bear biologists and wildlife managers feel it is critical to harvest more bears. Without additional harvest, DNR wildlife managers are concerned that bear-human conflicts will occur at unacceptable levels if a food shortage occurs. Minnesota's bear population, currently about 30,000, has been growing at a rate of 6 to 7 percent per year. Applications are available from ELS agents throughout Minnesota and at the DNR License Center at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.
Nonresident applicants can still mail in their applications.
Licenses for the no-quota area, an area outside of the 11 permit areas where the number of licenses is not limited, can be purchased directly at any ELS agent after Aug. 1. Each hunter who entered the 2000 lottery will be sent a bear season reminder for use when applying for this year's drawing. However, this will be the last year hunters will be notified prior to the application deadline. Instead, hunters can subscribe to a new DNR service where they will be notified via electronic mail of application deadlines, season openers, etc. Hunters are not required to pay for the license at the time of application.