Madison, WI – Wisconsin’s annual black bear hunting season begins Wednesday, Sept. 3, with hunters expected to enter the woods across the state under strict management zone rules.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the 2025 season will run from Sept. 3 through Oct. 7. Hunting methods and timing vary depending on location and whether dogs are permitted. Zones A, B, and D allow the use of dogs and bait in staggered phases, while Zones C, E, and F restrict hunters to bait and other legal methods without dogs.
In Zones A, B, and D, the season begins Sept. 3–9 with dogs only, followed by Sept. 10–30 when hunters may use dogs, bait, or other legal methods. From Oct. 1–7, bait and non-dog methods remain legal. In contrast, Zones C, E, and F open Sept. 3–Oct. 7 exclusively with bait and non-dog methods.
The DNR stated that regulated bear hunting helps maintain balanced populations while preserving habitat and reducing human-bear conflicts. Black bears, most common in northern Wisconsin, are considered a prized big game species both culturally and economically in the state.
Hunters are encouraged to review baiting, feeding, and shooting hour regulations before entering the field. Updated 2025 shooting schedules are available for both northern and southern hunting zones through the DNR website.
The state agency emphasized that careful harvests are a vital tool in bear population management, while also reminding hunters that all bears harvested must be registered.
Additional information, including maps of management zones and license applications, can be found on the Wisconsin DNR’s official bear hunting page.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant new stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
