Minnesota Bear Harvest Total Reaches Third Highest Level

State hunters recorded 4,168 bears during the 2026 season as populations continue to expand in non-quota areas.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of a bear silhouette in a dense autumn forest, evoking the expansion of wildlife in northern Minnesota. — Minnesota wildlife officials reported 4,168 bears harvested during the 2026 season, the state's third-highest total on record as populations expand into non-quota regions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe higher wildlife harvest numbers in your area indicate effective local population management?

The 2026 Minnesota bear hunting season concluded with a total harvest of 4,168 bears. This figure represents the third highest seasonal total on record for the state.

Why it matters

The increased harvest numbers in non-quota areas provide evidence that bear populations have successfully expanded their range across Minnesota. This data helps state wildlife officials monitor shifting population density and geographic distribution.

The 2026 harvest of 4,168 bears significantly exceeds the 2,683 recorded in 2025. Eighty percent of these bears were harvested within the first two weeks of the season.

The details

Record numbers of bears were taken in non-quota regions, with the Milaca, Mora, and Cambridge areas seeing 300 more bears shot compared to the previous year. While bear activity increased, hunters also saw success in other categories, harvesting 4,800 antlerless deer and 8,289 deer during the youth hunt.

1995: Bear harvest reached a record high.
2001: Bear harvest reached a record high.
2025: Baseline for comparing annual hunting harvest totals.
October 18, 2026: Minnesota bear hunting season concluded.
Next week: Cooler weather is forecast.

Culture Shift

The 2026 harvest levels mark a return to the high activity seen during the 1995 and 2001 record harvest years. This shift reflects broader trends in wildlife management as bear populations move into new territories within the state.

Hunters and residents should note that while bear season is over, other activities like the pheasant season continue after the firearm deer season. Outdoor enthusiasts can expect improved fishing conditions next week as cooler weather arrives.

The takeaway

The strong bear harvest indicates that regional management strategies remain effective at controlling population spread. Hunters planning for future seasons should monitor non-quota area trends as bears continue to inhabit new parts of the state.