Michigan Reflects on 100 Years of Bear Management

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is celebrating a 100-year milestone of successful regulated bear hunting.

While people were hunting bears in Michigan over a century ago, the lack of regulations could have led to their extinction from overhunting, much like what happened to the buffalo.

Why It's Important to Regulate Bear Hunting

While no one enjoys being told what to do, rules are essential, even for adults. Without regulations, species like the black bear could face extinction."

Regulating black bear hunting is important to manage a healthy bear population, prevent over-population-related conflicts with humans and the destruction of habitat. It is very important that we as humans ensure that bears remain a part of the eco system.

Regulations on bear hunting prevent excessive kills, guide the hunting process to focus on mature, and to contribute to conservation by maintaing sustainable population within a bear's habitat.

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I have hunted for bear in Michigan a handful of times, and shot my first 300 pound animal last year. I saw a variety of bears over the years in the Upper Peninsula because regulations were in place and are working.

100 Years Of Regulated Bear Hunts In Michigan

According to a DNR press release, Michigan marks 100 years of regulated bear hunting, and the sport has never been more popular. Whether hunting with hounds or with bait, bear hunters say the experience is uniquely exhilarating.

Black bear regulations began in 1925 in Michigan when the species was declared a game animal. 100 years later, nearly 73,000 hunters applied for permits for the 2025 season in record numbers. Only 1 in 5 applicants get selected for a bear license to make sure the right number of animals are harvested.

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There are nearly 12,500 bears in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas with about 2,000 bears harvested each season. While many species of hunting is trending down, bear hunting continues to rise due to the regulations put in place 100 years ago.

👇BELOW: What black bears want, and how to deter them👇