Attention, Minnesota hunters, you've until this Friday to submit your bear hunting application to the Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota DNR sent out a reminder, in case you weren't aware of the deadline. Here's what you'll need to know if you are going to apply.

How many licenses will be granted in 2025?

The Minnesota DNR will be awarding more than 4,600 licenses this year in zones where they have bear quotas, but there will be unlimited licenses for those hunting zones where there aren't quotas, which includes portions of East Central and Northwestern Minnesota.

"A total of 4,605 licenses are available across the 15 quota areas where licenses are limited for the 2025 season, which opens Monday, Sept. 1, and closes Sunday, Oct. 12. Lottery winners will be notified by Sunday, June 1. The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Friday, Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 6."

Nuisance Bear? Get on the list

The Minnesota DNR also takes into consideration nuisance bears in Minnesota. According to the DNR "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 to be added to a hunter contact list for any opportunities that might arise."

What type of bears call Minnesota home?

Black bears are the only type of bear that call Minnesota home, and right now you may be seeing them as they have emerged from hibernation, and are on the hunt for food, and love. Black bears generally mate in May-July, with the cub/cubs usually being born in January.

You can learn more about the hunting licenses by heading here. 

Learn more about Minnesota's black bears by heading here.