2024 Bear Hunting Season Opens Sept. 4

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this release incorrectly showed the bear hunting season for zones C, E and F as running from Oct. 4-8. The 2024 season for those zones runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 8. This error has been corrected below. 

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2024 bear hunting season opens Sept. 4. With diligent scouting and preparation efforts, bear hunters should expect another year of quality bear hunting this fall.

“Bear hunting provides a unique and exciting outdoor experience with family and friends,” said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. "We see the popularity of bear hunting in Wisconsin increasing with the growing number of customers who apply for a bear hunting license or preference point each year. With growing demand and limited licenses, we encourage the public to review management zone boundaries.” 

The 2024 bear season is open from Sept. 4 to Oct. 8, with specific regulations based on a hunter’s bear management zone. Hunters must know the management zone in which they are licensed to hunt and the specific bear hunting regulations within that zone.

Zones A, B and D – Where dogs are permitted:

• Sept. 4 to Sept. 10 – with the aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs
• Sept. 11 to Oct. 1 – with the aid of bait, dogs or all other legal methods
• Oct. 2 to Oct. 8 – with the aid of dogs only

Zones C, E and F – Where dogs are not permitted:

• Sept. 4 to Oct. 8 – with the aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs

Wisconsin has a thriving and expanding bear population estimated at more than 26,000 animals. The resident bear population covers more than half the state, primarily in the forested regions of northern and central Wisconsin, with a continued trend of slow southward expansion.

Hunting plays a critical role in black bear research, the science behind bear management. The samples hunters provide from each harvested bear provide important data used to monitor and ensure the health of Wisconsin’s bear population into the future.

The DNR’s Bear Hunting webpage provides general information about hunting bears, regulations and hunting hours.