Michigan’s bear hunting season is nearly here.

An annual highlight for thrill-seeking outdoor enthusiasts across the state, the limited season takes place at different times depending on where you live.

Here is everything you need to know about Michigan’s 2025 bear hunting season.

You need to be eligible to hunt

Bear licenses are limited and only available through a drawing, which has already taken place.

If you missed out, plan for 2026. Applications are usually accepted between May 1 and June 1, with winning hunters drawn in late June.

Dates

Upper Peninsula hunters will get the first chance with dates for the Amasa, Baraga, Bergland, Carney, Gwinn and Newberry bear management units taking place during three separate periods: Sept. 10 – Oct. 21, Sept. 15 – Oct. 26, Sept. 25 – Oct. 26.

Drummond Island has one hunting period which runs from Sept. 10 – Oct. 21.

Season dates for all three bear management units in the northern Lower Peninsula – Baldwin, Gladwin and Red Oak – are Sept. 13-23 and Oct. 3-9.

Bear registration

Within 72 hours of harvesting a bear, hunters must take the unfrozen, undivided bear head and hide, or the entire animal, to a bear registration station to be registered and sealed. Locations can be found here.

Full bear hunting regulations can be found here.

Bear meat: Preventing trichinosis

Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is a disease that people can get by eating raw or undercooked meat from animals infected with the microscopic parasite trichinella. In the lower 48 states, cases have been detected in black bears.

Animals infected with trichinella usually don’t appear to be sick, and the parasite is microscopic so it cannot be seen in infected meat with the naked eye.

You can prevent trichinosis by properly handling and cooking meat. Whole cuts and ground meat from wild game animals should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

A meat thermometer should be used because color is not a good indicator of doneness for game meat. After handling meat, wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water and disinfect all equipment and work surfaces.

Bear patch

Michigan’s bear management cooperator patch program is coordinated by the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, in partnership with the DNR.

Anyone may purchase a patch for $7. Young hunters, 17 years old and younger, who have a valid bear hunting license may receive a free patch.

Order a patch online or send your name and complete address and a check or money order payable to the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, or a legible copy of a youth’s valid bear hunting license, to MBHA, Bear Patch Program, 10510 Fairgrieve Road, Johannesburg, MI 49751.

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