2026 Bear Hunt Lottery Applications Now Being Accepted In Minnesota

Bear hunting in Minnesota is a regulated, annual activity managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage a population of roughly 13,000–18,000 black bears.

The primary goal is to manage the population size to keep it within sustainable levels, ensuring the animals coexist with growing human populations, especially as they spread further south in the state.

It's worth noting that Minnesota offers regulated, fair-chase hunting to ensure the bear population is not overharvested. Hunters, who are often limited in number to manage the population, provide data and revenue used for conservation.

Recently, the Minnesota DNR announced that the 2026 bear hunt lotter application period had begun.

Bear Hunt Lottery Applications Now Being Accepted

The DNR says prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 1, to apply for a bear hunting license. The DNR has 5,330 licenses available across the 15 bear permit areas for the 2026 season, which opens Tuesday, September 1, and closes Sunday, October 18.

The number of licenses available each year in a quota area is based on Minnesota’s bear population trends in those areas. License quotas for the 2026 bear season include a moderate increase where population trends indicate sufficient growth.

Hunters can submit applications for the 2026 season online, at any license agent, or by phone at 888-665-4236. People can apply for preference only, which will accrue a preference point to increase the preference level for future years’ bear hunt lotteries.

The types of licenses available include:

• Resident, age 18 and older: $45 (includes fee)
• Non-resident, age 18 and older: $231 (includes fee)
• Ages 13-17, regardless of residency: $6 (includes fee)
• Ages 10-12, regardless of residency: $1 issuing fee

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What Happens After The Application Deadline?

The DNR will mail notifications to lottery winners by Monday, June 1, 2026. Applicants can also check results on the DNR website.

The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Saturday, August 1. Any remaining licenses will be made available starting at noon on Wednesday, August 5.

An unlimited number of bear licenses will be sold over the counter for the no-quota area that includes east-central and far northwest Minnesota. No-quota licenses are valid only in the no-quota area.

Hunters with either a quota or no-quota license who are interested in taking a problem bear should contact the DNR wildlife manager for their area of interest. The wildlife manager will add the hunter to a contact list for any opportunities that might arise.

Complete instructions for applying for a bear hunting license, maps of permit areas, and a list of permit availability for each area are available on the DNR website.