Ultimate Guide to Bear Hunting in Minnesota: Seasons, Recipes, Records & More

Bear hunting in Minnesota combines thrilling wilderness pursuits with responsible wildlife management in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Home to a stable black bear population of 13,000-18,000, the state offers opportunities in its northern forests and no-quota zones, drawing hunters for ethical harvests that support conservation. This comprehensive guide delivers expert insights on species, trophies, biology, safety, costs, and traditions. Loaded with practical tips—like surviving encounters and local recipes—this article is your go- to resource for planning a memorable hunt while promoting bear-wise practices.

Bears of Minnesota: Species Overview and Key Facts

Minnesota is home exclusively to the American black bear (*Ursus americanus*), the state's only bear species. These versatile mammals, often black but sometimes cinnamon or blonde, inhabit the northern third of the state, extending south to forest-agricultural borders. With a 2025 population estimate of 13,000- 18,000, bears are most abundant in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), where their range is expanding due to habitat recovery. Black bears are Minnesota's largest carnivores, with boars weighing 250-600+ pounds and sows 150-300 pounds. They're intelligent foragers, making them a respected challenge for hunters.

Record-Breaking Bears: Minnesota's Largest Harvests and Locations

Minnesota's nutrient-rich forests produce some hefty black bears, with records highlighting the potential in the northwest and north-central regions. The unofficial state record for heaviest live-weight bear is a 721- pound giant harvested by Jan Johnson in rural Roseau County in northwest Minnesota in 2017, using a firearm during the fall season. This bear, dressed at over 600 pounds, was taken near dense woods and agricultural fields, prime for fall fattening. Other notables include a 700-pound bear poached near Red Lake in 2019 (not a legal harvest) and a 513- pound dressed bear from north-central Minnesota in 2025, with a skull measuring 21 13/16 inches—potentially the second-largest by outfitters' records. The muzzleloader skull record stands at 21 9/16 inches, set by Ben Genereux in Crookston in 2023. Boone & Crockett entries often come from the Arrowhead Region and Itasca County, where acorn mast and berries fuel growth. In 2025, hunters registered about 2,860 bears, up from recent averages.

Black Bear Habitat, Diet, Behavior, and Life Cycle in Minnesota

Black bears thrive in Minnesota's dense forests, swamps, and mixed woodlands with ample cover, primarily in the northern forests like the Chippewa and Superior National Forests. They venture into clearings or crop edges for food but prefer secluded areas to avoid humans. Their diet is 75-90% plant-based: Spring greens and insects like ants; summer berries (raspberries, blueberries); fall nuts (acorns, hazelnuts) and crops like corn. In hyperphagia (fall feeding frenzy), they consume 20,000+ calories daily to build fat. Bears den in hollow trees, rock crevices, or ground burrows, hibernating (torpor) for 6-7 months from November to April, recycling wastes without eating or drinking. Mating occurs May-July every two years, with delayed implantation; cubs (average 2-3) born in January dens, weighing under a pound. Sows raise cubs alone for 17-24 months, teaching foraging before dispersal.

Are Black Bears Dangerous? Notable Attacks and Risks in Minnesota

Minnesota's black bears are typically reclusive, avoiding humans unless food-habituated or protecting cubs, making them low-risk compared to grizzlies. No fatal attacks are recorded in Minnesota itself, though rare non-fatal incidents occur. Notable events: In 2023, a Minneapolis woman was mauled near Gull Lake in Nisswa while letting her dog out; she sustained wounds but survived. A 2002 attack on a researcher in the BWCAW caused injuries. In 1987, a bear attacked campers in the BWCAW. A 2019 fatal mauling of a Minnesota woman occurred on a Canadian island in Rainy Lake, a rare predatory attack. Bears pose more nuisance to livestock or pets, raiding coops or hives. Conflicts rise with poor food storage.

Safety Tips for Bear Hunting and Hiking in Minnesota's Woods

Safety is key in bear country. For hunters: Register bait sites, use elevated stands, carry bear spray, and hunt in daylight. If a bear approaches, make noise and back away; fight back if attacked. Avoid shooting collared bears. Hikers and campers: Travel in groups, make noise, leash dogs, and store food in bear-proof containers or hung 12 feet high. If encountered, speak calmly, wave arms, and retreat slowly—never run. Use BearWise resources from MN DNR.

Costs of Bear Hunting in Minnesota: Unguided vs. Guided

Minnesota's bear hunting is lottery-based in quota areas, with seasons September 1-October 12 and baiting from August 15. Unguided hunts are affordable: Resident licenses $45, non-residents $231; youth $6. Add bait, gear, and travel for $200-500 total. Guided options provide expertise: Fully guided 5-day bait hunts cost $1,800-2,000, including stands, bait, and meals (e.g., Fall River Outfitters, Bernie Barringer's). Semi-guided: $1,500. One bear per license.

Bear Meat: Taste Profile and Popular Minnesota Recipes

Bear meat is rich, sweet, and gamey—like enhanced pork or beef—leaning sweeter from berries and nuts. Cook to 165°F for safety. Minnesota favorites incorporate local twists: - Bear Stew: Simmer bear meat with carrots, onions, garlic, beans, and chard—stovetop comfort food. - Bear Meatballs: Mix ground bear with spices; serve in tomato sauce or as wild game substitute. - Grilled Bear Steak: Marinate with turmeric, cumin, ginger; pair with cucumber salad for fresh contrast. - Bear Chili or BBQ: Cube for chili or slow-cook with BBQ sauce/onion soup for shredded sandwiches. - Corned or Smoked Bear: Brine and smoke for pastrami-like deli meat. Tip: Blend with fat for juiciness in burgers or sausages.

Cultural and Historical Context of Bear Hunting in Minnesota

Bear hunting in Minnesota reflects indigenous reverence and settler conflicts. Ojibwe and other tribes viewed bears as spiritual symbols, using them sustainably for food, tools, and ceremonies. In the 1800s-1960s, settlers treated bears as vermin, offering bounties that nearly eradicated them. Bounties ended in 1965, shifting to game status; modern management by MN DNR includes quotas for sustainability. Today, it's a cultural tradition blending heritage with science, supporting populations through habitat protection. Bear hunting in Minnesota fosters connection to the wild—share this guide, hunt ethically, and visit dnr.state.mn.us for updates. Safe adventures!

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About The Author

Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Lunker Hunter. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.