MN Hunters Urged To Not Shoot ‘Tagged’ Or ‘Collared’ Bears

The bear hunting season starts on September 1st, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking those participating this year to avoid taking bears that are collared and tagged for research purposes.

Why Are These Bears Collared/Tagged?

The bears are being studied to better help scientists understand how the bears are living. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

"A key point of the research is to look at year-to-year changes in natural food supplies and how those changes affect individual bears in terms of their habitat use, physical condition, denning, reproduction and interactions with people. This research is not designed to evaluate mortality from hunting. Tagging new bears every year to replace any killed cannot substitute for long-term data on individual bears."

What Areas Of Minnesota Are The Tagged Bears Located In?

The Minnesota DNR is monitoring 50 black bears across the state, especially in bear hunting zones 27, 45, and parts of the no-quota zone. Most of the radio-collared bears live in or near the Chippewa National Forest, Camp Ripley, the Brainerd/Baxter area, and Duluth.

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But like all wild animals, the territory where the bears might be can be expanded greatly, as they are known to roam, especially if they are in search of food.

It's Not Illegal To Take A Collared Bear In Minnesota

Hunters should know that if they do take a collared/tagged bear, it's not illegal, but the Department of Natural Resources would like the collar and implanted device sent back. To avoid taking a tagged/collared bear, hunters are asked to pause and look at the bear's head for brightly colored tags, as the collar can be hidden under the bear's fur.

If you do happen to take a tagged or collared bear this fall, call the Minnesota DNR Wildlife Research Office in Grand Rapids at 218-328-8879 or 218-328-8874 to report it and coordinate the pickup or drop-off of the collar and heart monitor, if applicable.

You can learn more about bear hunting by visiting the DNR's website.