(Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo) Wisconsin hunters harvested 2,922 black bears during the 2023 season, a marked decrease from the 4,009 bears harvested last year.

MADISON, Wis. — Preliminary results for Wisconsin’s 2023 bear season showed a harvest well below the recent annual average of approximately 4,000 bears, representing the lowest yearly black bear harvest since 2008.

Hunters killed 2,922 bears during the 2023 season, a marked decrease from the 4,009 taken by hunters last year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said. This decline was observed across the state as the harvest fell short of respective targets in all management zones.

In the northeastern Zone B region, the hunter success rate was 50%. There were 1,495 licenses issued and 744 bears taken. The harvest target was 850.

Statewide the hunter success rate was only 23%, down from the recent 5-year average of 32%. Success rates in individual zones varied from about 60% in Zone A in the northwest to about 5% in southern Zones E and F.

“This fall saw a remarkably high acorn crop across much of the state, and this abundance of natural food typically results in reduced hunter success rates as hunters’ baits are less effective,” said Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist. “Almost all of the anecdotal reports I heard from bear hunters this fall mentioned the incredible abundance of acorns and other natural foods in the woods. It is difficult to predict when these bumper acorn crops will occur, but when they do, the impact on bear hunting is unmistakable.”

Harvest data indicates Zones A and B in northern Wisconsin were less impacted than other areas. Zone C in the central part of the state had only a 13% harvest success rate.

The 2023 bear season ran from Sept. 6 to Oct. 10. Hunters were awarded 12,760 bear hunting licenses through the license lottery system. Nearly 138,000 people applied for a bear hunting license or preference point for the 2023 season, setting a record for the number of applicants.

“Interest in bear hunting continues to grow in Wisconsin and across the nation,” said Johnson. “We encourage hunters to review management zone boundaries, season frameworks and license wait times as they make their hunting plans for the coming years.”

Bear permit applicants must apply at least once during any period of three consecutive years to retain their accumulated preference points; otherwise, all accumulated preference points will be lost.

Hunters wishing to obtain a license or preference point for the 2024 season are encouraged to apply through Go Wild before the Dec. 10 deadline. A full breakdown of the 2023 bear license drawing and license wait times is available on the DNR website.

Wisconsin has a bear population estimated at 25,000 with concentrations in the northern and central forested regions. There is a continued trend of slow southward expansion.