It Is That Time Again To Apply for Your 2023 Michigan Bear Tags

Michigan is home to a lot of black bears in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and it's time once again to apply for your bear permit.

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Michigan Black Bear

Like hunting whitetail deer, for some, hunting Michigan black bears have been a tradition as well.

The Michigan black bear population is thriving in the Upper Peninsula and the numbers are starting to increase in the Lower Peninsula. The total Michigan black bear population is around 12,000. Even areas in West Michigan have seen an increase in the number of bears in the last few years. With good numbers, it means more opportunities for hunters to enter the woods to help keep those numbers at a good balance.

To Hunt Michigan Black Bear You Need a Permit

Unlike purchasing your small game or deer hunting licenses, you need a hunting permit for black bears in the state of Michigan. These permits help the DNR to monitor populations of black bears and how many get harvested in each county where black bear hunting is permitted. This helps keep the proper balance of the bear population in the state.

A great way to learn everything you need to know about Michigan black bear hunting is by reading the 2023 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest.

When to Apply for a Michigan Black Bear Permit

Applying for your Michigan bear permit is from May 1 to June 1. There is a $5 fee to apply to be a part of the drawing. You need to find on the map what area you want to hunt, then decide what are your first choice and your second choice (sometimes people choose the same hunt both times). There are three hunting times to choose from so you have lots of options and counties to hunt. The drawing results will be on June 26. You check online or call 517-284-9453.

My buddy and I just talked today about putting in for our hunt. Most people who bear hunt usually hunt with another person and to increase your chances of getting picked, look into getting a hunting party number and apply for the same area and hunts each year. One person gets picked, and the whole hunting party gets picked.

Bear hunting works on a points system but it's important to apply for the same hunt the same way each time. Residents will either get selected at random or after 4 points you are in. Everything you need to know is in the bear hunting digest so I highly recommend you read it each year because is almost a new rule change every year. Good luck.