REGIONAL— Bear hunters posted their most successful season since 2012 this year, based on results through early last week. As of Oct. 13, hunters had registered 1,913 bears across the state, well ahead of the 1,622 taken during the same period last year. The higher harvest comes despite the fact that the DNR issued the smallest number of permits in years in the quota zones of northern Minnesota.

The 2015 bear season wrapped up on Sunday and final numbers weren’t immediately available as the Timberjay went to press.

“We don’t know for sure how high the hunter success will be,” said Tower DNR Area Wildlife Manager Tom Rusch. “But it’s going to be on the higher end. It’s looking good. Indications are that hunters had lots of success.”

Rusch had predicted a good season for hunters based on spotty wild foods this season. A hard June 1 frost damaged wild berry crops in many locations, and that apparently made hunters’ baits more enticing for bears.

Locally, hunters registered 114 bears in the Tower area, and 101 in the International Falls area. Only the Cloquet and Two Harbors areas saw more bears registered.

The breakdown by sex was consistent across the board. Male bears registered outpaced females by two-to-one.

Grouse numbers still low

While hunters have generally reported seeing a few more ruffed grouse in the woods since leaf drop, Rusch said overall the numbers appear to be down this season over expectations. He noted that the Ruffed Grouse Society’s annual national hunt, held this year in Grand Rapids, saw the second lowest hunter success rate ever, with an average of 0.73 birds per day. The annual hunt attracts experienced grouse hunters and their dogs, so the low success rate indicates the state of the grouse population right now, at least in Koochiching and Itasca counties, where hunters focused their efforts.

“It isn’t a rosy picture,” said Rusch.