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Minnesota sees more bear hunters this season
More than 2,600 bears were registered in the first week as the state increased quota-area licenses by about 700, officials said.
Minnesota's bear season, which opened Sept 1, is off to a strong start with more than 2,600 bears registered as harvested during the first week, according to Dan Stark, large carnivore specialist with the Minnesota DNR.
The Minnesota DNR increased available license numbers in quota areas by about 700 to 5,330, citing a healthy bear population; more than 27,000 people applied for licenses this year, reflecting strong hunter interest.
With about 70% of bears typically harvested during the first week, Stark said the total harvest could reach up to 3,500 to 4,000 by season's end. So far, about 600 bears were harvested in no-quota areas and around 2,000 in quota areas.
Andrew Tri, Minnesota DNR bear project leader, said researchers are monitoring 50 radio-collared black bears to study population dynamics. All but two of the collared bears are female.
As a reminder to hunters, the Minnesota DNR urges those in the field to not shoot collared bears, which often live near Brainerd, Baxter, Camp Riley, Chippewa National Forest, Grand Rapids, and Little Falls. The season runs through Oct 18.