After last seasons bear harvest numbers were in, a total of 3,600 bears were killed in Wisconsin. This prompted Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to cut the number of permits from 12,970 to 11,595 for the 2019 season. The cut is in 2 zones in the northern half of the state. Northern unit bears are declining in population, while in the south they are increasing. The southern units had a 200 tag increase. Current population estimates are 24,000 bears. This is wildlife management working. Numbers decline so tags decline to allow the animals to maintain a solid population. The same principle is reversed for overpopulation, officials would increase tags.
Were you a lucky Wisconsin bear hunter in 2018?
