ST. PAUL - Applications for Minnesota bear hunting licenses are being accepted now through May 6, wherever Minnesota hunting and fishing license are sold, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense and by telephone at 888-665-4236.
A total of 3,850 licenses are available in 13 permit areas. Bear licenses cost $44 for residents and $230 for nonresidents, and there is a $5 application fee. The season is open from Thursday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 16.
Notification to lottery winners will be made by June 16. The deadline to purchase licenses awarded by lottery will be Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at noon on Aug. 5.
An unlimited number of bear licenses will be sold over-the-counter for no-quota areas in east-central and far northwestern Minnesota. No-quota licenses are valid only in a no-quota area. Hunters with a no-quota license can harvest one bear.
Bear license numbers in the quota area have increased from 3,700 last year to 3,850 this year as a result of increasing bear conflicts.
