Michigan Bear Hunting Info.

[blackpaws]

I was just wondering some general info about the bear hunting in Michigan.
Just wondering how it is for a non-resident to come and hunt there? I looked at the DNR website and it showed a little but thought i would get some info from some hunters there. Thanks in advance.

Joe

[chrismack]

alot of guys from wisconsin hunt the western part of the u.p. any where else is hard to get tags. not sure how much tags are, There are lots of dog guys in the u.p. so it kinda gets crowded.

[nessplott2]

It takes about 3 to 5 years to get a tag from what I've been told

[blueticker]

It depends on where you put in for, I put one in for western part and have gotten one last three years. Eastern part is a little tougher.



" If ya wanna catch it, ya better run Blueticks "

[bearhntwi]

If you apply for the bergland zone,and the 3rd season you can usually get one in 4 years,i live right on the border so we hunt there,just as much as Wi.

[Hounder-]

I've always been curious, how is Michigan's training season set-up? It doesn't run the same as Wisconsin's does it?

[Nolte]

It starts a couple weeks later (July 15?), but non residents can't train there. I'm not sure about al, but I know WI non-res can't. Makes a lot of sense doesn't it, to restrict a non-consumptive activity.

[bearhntwi]

Yea,non-residents can't run in training season,which is bullshit,because anyone from MI can run here.

[tmacguire]

Training season got changed last year, you can start training on July 8th and I'm not sure of the non-resident part.

[big bite]

Michigan is an interesting state.
Just like anything there is always parts you agree with and parts you don't.

Regarding hunting and getting tags.
There is no doubts that the draw system has greatly increased our bear population.
If you go on line you can get stats on your chance of drawing a certain tag for a certain area.
I think it is safe to say that areas with larger people populations or closer to large populations tend to be areas harder to get tags.
Some of the more remote and harder to reach areas tend to be easier to draw.

I currently guide the Baldwin district and Newberry.
In state residents I tell them to plan on 10+ years for Baldwin and 3-4 for Newberry.

If I didn't have to worry about legistics I would look at Western UP. I think you can draw every 2-4 depending on season and bigger tougher country. (less roads makes hounding a little tougher)
Yes, there is a number of us hound hunters and you should plan on company. Yes, there is bait hunters too & they aren't impressed with a pack of hounds blowing through there bait. Be prepared to get chewed on, but please keep in mind that other hunters aren't the enemy - it is the anti's and the anti's love it when we fellow hunters can't get along.
Big Bite Hunts and Hounds
where Hounds Rule

[jonet plotts]

Silent Mouth said a mouthful about the antis!We have to stick together!We don't make the rules we just have to follow them.A word of advice; if you plan to hunt Mi. check with the locals about the wolf problem areas.They have increased like crazy.Wolves are everywhere now and the packs are all growing.There are minimal hounds training here when wol dog conflict usually occur (training season) but soon the numbers will be so great that time of year won't matter!

[Steve White]

The nice thing about Mi is WI residents can train during the harvest season. If you want to spend the money. You also have to get your free permit to have the dogs in the state. I forget the name of it.

Kill tags will depend on not only the zone, but also the time period. The later dates are easier to draw.