Bear hunting in Minnesota?

[Kyle K.]

Hello,

I'm in Minnesota near the twin cities areaand I'm wondering if anyone can direct me toland whereI could hunt bear. I'm 17 years old so I've only hunted a couple of years and I don't come from a hunting family (I deer hunt onpublic land with a neighbor) so I don't really have any experience with this type of hunting or how to get started.

I've talked to people who bear hunt and it sounds like a lot of fun but I don't know if it is the kind of thing you need private land for or if there is state land you can hunt. Can anyone point me in the right direction for getting started in this type of hunting and where I could possiblyhunt in the area?

[ahunter55]

I Bowhunted up the gun flint trail years ago (B/4 they were considered a game animal in Mn.) Took a nice Bear. I would guess most any place away from towns, settlements would be good place to start baiting.
You have to draw for these areas now so youi need to check with your DNR. Good Luck.

[TeeJay]

There is alot of public land to hunt Bear on. From here north. Get up aroung Big Fork, Grand Rapids even North of Park Rapids. But you are going to have to do some baiting. Or hire a bater to bate for ya. Lot of work hunting bear.

[Rangerlab]

There are quite a few bears off the Gunlint Trail. It's no secret, so there are alot of hunters, but there is plenty of public land around. It is kind of a haul from the cities. Last year I was moose hunting up there and ran into a guy who showed me some pictures of the bears he has taken in the last few years. I've never bear hunted, but after seeing the size of some of those bruins, it got me thinking of starting. Almost everyone hunts from tree stands over bait, so if you go you need to plan on at least a couple extra trips before the season to replenish your bait station. It may be alot of work, but if you can swing it I'd say go for it. You may not be successful your first year or two, but ifyou stick with an area, you'll get to know how the game is played and pretty soon people will be coming to YOU for advice! Good luck!

[Handles]

Look northwest for good bear hunting and state land to hunt them on. Many farmers have ag tags for them. Places to look. Oklee, Plumer, Goodrich, Grygla, Trail, Fourtown...