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Bear

Bear

A black bear standing on all fours in the woods on a sunny day.

Season information

Bear application period: May 1 - June 1
Drawing Results Available Online: June 22 

Bear hunting licenses
Bear licenses are limited and only available through a drawing. You do not need a base license to apply for the drawing, but if chosen, you must purchase a base license and bear license to hunt.

eHarvest tag info

Buy an application, license or check points

Hunting regulations

Wildlife Conservation Order Thumbnail

Wildlife conservation order

A promotional poster for the hunt fish app with a nature scene.

Hunt fish app

 

Black bear hunting regulations summary cover.

Bear hunting regulations

Preference points explained

MI Bear Draw Preference Point System Explained

Hunters are selected for a bear license using a preference point drawing system. The point system is explained in detail in this video. 

Drawing statistics

After you get a bear

You must call the DNR office or private cooperator bear registration station to schedule an appointment before arriving. Within 72 hours of harvest, you must take the unfrozen, undivided bear head and hide, or the entire animal, to a DNR registration station to be examined, sealed and registered. You must provide the identification used to acquire the license. After the pelt is sealed, the DNR reserves the right to collect additional bear parts, such as a tooth, for research or management purposes.

The DNR field office at Muskegon State Game Area.

Registration stations

screenshot of wildlife disease lab results page

Check age results

Additional resources

Image of the Mi-Hunt hunting lands locator screen.

Find a place to hunt

A hunting license being passed between two people.

License transfer program

A stack of papers.

Publications