(WTAQ-WLUK) — Preliminary results from the 2023 Wisconsin bear season is the lowest yearly bear harvest since 2008.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released the results Tuesday.
Wisconsin bear hunters harvested 2,922 bears during the 2023 black bear season, a decrease from the 4,009 bears taken by hunters last year and annual average of 4,000.
Similarly, statewide hunter success dropped to 23%, down from the recent 5-year average statewide hunter success rate of 32%.
“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.”
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, showing interest in bear hunting continues to grow in Wisconsin.
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.
