The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for bear hunting licenses until May 6.
A total of 3,605 licenses are available across the 14 permit areas.
The DNR split the Northwest Angle off into its own bear permit area 14 after conversations with the Red Lake Nation.
The DNR says bear have been hunted in the Northwest Angle for decades but in permit area 12, and that the change creates more flexibility to develop hunting strategies specific to the region’s bear population.
Only a small number of hunting permits in the Northwest Angle will be available for this year’s season, which runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 16.
The boundaries of permit areas 28 and 47 were also modified to follow the Leech Lake Reservation boundary, similar to the adjustments made to deer permit area 197 in 2021.
The DNR will offer permits initially on a lottery-based system, with more information available on their website.
