MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Wisconsin’s bear hunting season opens Wednesday.
The 2026 bear hunting season runs through October thirteenth. More than 34,000 hunters applied for one of just over 15,000 available licenses, while another 106,000 people purchased preference points for future drawings. Wisconsin’s black bear population is estimated at about 24,000 animals, primarily in northern and central parts of the state.
Hunters are reminded all harvested bears must be registered by 5pm the day after recovery and require submission of two premolar teeth for research and management purposes.