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ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to avoid shooting marked research bears.
The bear hunting season officially opened on Monday, Sept. 1, across the state.
These bears are marked with distinctive, large and colorful ear tags. They also are wearing radio collars.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources logo. (Contributed image)
Researchers are monitoring 50 black bears across the state. These bears live primarily near Chippewa National Forest, Camp Ripley or the Brainerd and Duluth areas. All but three of the bears are female.
Photos of collared research bears and findings are available on the Minnesota DNR bear hunting page.
Select seasons are underway
Crow, rail (sora and virginia), mourning dove and snipe seasons also are underway as of Monday, Sept. 1. There is no bag limit for crow, the DNR reports.
Other hunting seasons will begin soon.
Goose and teal season starts on Saturday, Sept. 6. The limit is five goose combined daily, and six teal combined daily.
The deer archery season commences on Saturday, Sept. 13, and runs through Dec. 31, 2025. The only exception is in Itasca State Park in Park Rapids.
Gray and fox squirrel hunting season also begins on Sept. 13. The bag limit on squirrels is seven combined daily, and 14 combined in possession.
Rabbit season also is underway on Sept. 13. This is for various rabbits, including jacks, cottontails and snowshoe hares.
The limit on jackrabbits is one daily, and just three in possession. The limit for others (cottontails and snowshoe hares) is 10 daily, and 20 in possession.
Rabbits and squirrels may be taken through either hunting or trapping methods.
Allowable shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
All residents and non-residents, 16 years of age and older, must have a valid small game license.
The DNR urges hunters to wear blaze orange when out in the field. One article of clothing must be visible above the waist, whether its a hat, jacket or vest.
For more information, log onto the DNR’s website at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/index.html.