Wisconsin DNR reports record bear harvest of 4301 in 2023 amid rising conflict concerns

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a significant increase in bear harvest quotas for the 2025 season, following a successful 2024 bear harvest that saw 4,301 bears taken by licensed hunters. This figure marks a 12% increase over the state's target of 3,850 bears, indicating a robust bear population across the state.

During the Natural Resources Board meeting held on January 22, 2025, DNR officials reviewed the previous year's bear harvest and discussed the ongoing bear conflict management strategies. The meeting highlighted that the bear population remains stable or even growing in most zones, with the exception of Zone D, where the objective is to reduce bear numbers due to agricultural damage, particularly in cornfields.

The proposed harvest target for 2025 is set at 4,075 bears, which represents a 6% increase from the previous year. This increase is accompanied by a 14% rise in the number of licenses issued, totaling over 13,000. The DNR aims to manage bear populations through adaptive strategies that consider hunter success rates and natural food availability, which significantly influence bear behavior and harvest outcomes.

Key discussions during the meeting included the distribution of bear harvests, with Marinette County emerging as the top producer, and the management of bear conflicts, which primarily involve nuisance calls related to bears accessing bird feeders and agricultural areas. The DNR collaborates with USDA Wildlife Services to address these conflicts through various abatement strategies.

Rob Bowman, chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, expressed support for the proposed quotas, emphasizing the importance of utilizing the best available science in managing bear populations. The board unanimously approved the recommendations, reinforcing the DNR's commitment to sustainable wildlife management practices.

As Wisconsin prepares for the upcoming bear hunting season, stakeholders are encouraged to remain engaged in discussions about bear management and the implications of increased harvest quotas on both the bear population and local communities.