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Bear hunting

Season information

Bear application period: May 1 - June 1
Drawing Results Available Online: June 23 

Bear hunting licenses
Bear licenses are limited and only available through a drawing. You do not need a base license to apply for the drawing, but if chosen, you must purchase a base license and bear license to hunt.

Buy an application, license or check points

2025 bear hunting season dates


Amasa (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Amasa (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Amasa (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Baldwin Sept. 13–23 and Oct. 3–9
Baraga (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Baraga (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Baraga (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Bergland (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Bergland (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Bergland (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Carney (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Carney (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Carney (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Drummond Island Sept. 10–Oct. 21
Gladwin Sept. 13–23 and Oct. 3–9
Gwinn (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Gwinn (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Gwinn (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Newberry (period 1) Sept. 10 – Oct. 21
Newberry (period 2) Sept. 15 – Oct. 26
Newberry (period 3) Sept. 25 – Oct. 26
Red Oak Sept. 13–23 and Oct. 3–9
Wildlife Conservation Order Thumbnail

Wildlife conservation order

The general hunting regulations are a condensed summary of the full regulations and legal descriptions found in this wildlife conservation order, issued by the Natural Resources Commission.

A promotional poster for the hunt fish app with a nature scene.

Hunt fish app

Download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app today! With it, you can store and access regulations, report your harvests, purchase applications, licenses and permits, check drawing results and much more.

Preference points explained

MI Bear Draw Preference Point System Explained

Hunters are selected for a bear license using a preference point drawing system. The point system is explained in detail in this video. 

Drawing statistics