MADISON, Wis. — Northwest Wisconsin saw its largest bear harvest to date this season, the Department of Natural Resources said, while the state saw an uptick in hunters trying their luck in the central and southern parts of the state.

The DNR handed out more than 15,000 bear hunting licenses through its license lottery system, including 4,465 in the central Zone C and 900 in the southern Zone F. During the season, which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 13, hunters harvested 4,275 bears statewide which was slightly above the DNR’s target of 4,160.

Hunters had the most success in the northern Zone A, where 73% of the 1,675 licenses issued came back with a bear. Success in Barron, Burnett, Polk and Washburn counties led to the northwest Zone D producing a record 1,316 bears harvested.

“The big story across the northern part of the state was the ongoing drought conditions, particularly in northwest Wisconsin, and how the dry conditions might affect bear activity,” DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson said. “A different story emerged in southern parts of Wisconsin, with reports suggesting abundant acorns in many areas, along with agricultural crops, which often draw the attention of bears away from hunter baits in these areas.”

While success rates in Zones C, E and F were slightly lower than last year, the DNR said it still saw an increase in bears harvested thanks to the increase in licenses issued. That’s a trend the department finds promising.

“One of our goals has been to increase bear harvest in parts of central and western Wisconsin (Zones C and E) to slow bear population growth in these areas,” Johnson said. “This year’s bump in harvest in these areas reflects that goal.”

Prep work for the next bear season is right around the corner. Hunters hoping for a license for the 2027 season will need to apply by Dec. 10. The state saw a record-high number of applicants last season, with more than 146,000 people vying for a license. 

​COPYRIGHT 2026 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.