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Black Bear Hunting in Michigan, 2026-27
Michigan bear hunting is by bear management unit: the Upper Peninsula units hunt in up to three periods between Sept. 9 and Oct. 26, and the Lower Peninsula units Baldwin, Gladwin and Red Oak hunt Sept. 12-22 plus an archery-only stretch Oct. 2-8. Bear season rows, bags, equipment rules and mapped land below.
Photo: FolioRoad (CC BY 2.0)
Licenses come through a preference-point drawing; the 2026 quota is 6,278 licenses across 10 hunted units and 22 hunts, and 72,872 people applied in 2025. One bear per license and one bear license a year; cubs under 42 inches from nose to tail base and sows with cubs are off limits, and Dansville BMU, the rest of the Lower Peninsula, has no hunt. The DNR survey estimates 2,272 bears taken by 5,114 hunters in 2024, a 44% success rate; registrations for 2025 (preliminary) add up to 1,957.
Black Bear: the short form
- Dates in short: Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs by BMU/date; UP Sept. 9-Oct. 26 in three periods, LP Sept. 12-22 and Oct. 2-8 (archery).
- Limit: One bear per license; no cubs or sows with cubs.
- More: 10 hunted BMUs, 6,278 licenses; preference-point drawing May 1-June 1; registration within 72 hours.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
When black bears are open in Michigan
Black bears: 25 segments this license year, each day count taking in the first and last day.
| Season | Zone | Method | Begins | Ends | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt period 1 | Amasa BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Baraga BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Bergland BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Carney BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Drummond Island BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Gwinn BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 | Newberry BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Baldwin BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | 11 | |
| Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Gladwin BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | 11 | |
| Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Red Oak BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | 11 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Amasa BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Baraga BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Bergland BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Carney BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Gwinn BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 2 | Newberry BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 43 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Amasa BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Baraga BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Bergland BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Carney BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Gwinn BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 3 | Newberry BMU | Firearm, bow or crossbow; bait and dogs per BMU rules | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | 32 | |
| Hunt period 1 (archery only) | Baldwin BMU | Bow or crossbow only (no firearms) | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | 7 | |
| Hunt period 1 (archery only) | Gladwin BMU | Bow or crossbow only (no firearms) | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | 7 | |
| Hunt period 1 (archery only) | Red Oak BMU | Bow or crossbow only (no firearms) | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | 7 | |
| No season | Dansville BMU (rest of Zones 2 and 3) | – | Not open |
Conditions printed with the bear rows
- Hunt 0007; quota 120 licenses (max 6 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0004; quota 305 licenses (max 15 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0001; quota 170 licenses (max 8 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0010; quota 90 licenses (max 4 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0019; quota 8 licenses (max 0 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0013; quota 140 licenses (max 7 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0016; quota 200 licenses (max 10 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0021; quota 395 licenses (max 19 nonresident). Dogs not allowed Sept. 12-13; dogs required Sept. 19-22.
- Hunt 0022; quota 95 licenses (max 4 nonresident). Dogs not allowed Sept. 12-13; dogs required Sept. 19-22.
- Hunt 0020; quota 685 licenses (max 34 nonresident). Dogs not allowed Sept. 12-13; dogs required Sept. 19-22.
- Hunt 0008; quota 110 licenses (max 5 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0005; quota 435 licenses (max 21 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0002; quota 230 licenses (max 11 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
- Hunt 0011; quota 155 licenses (max 7 nonresident). Bait only (no dogs) Sept. 9-13; dogs allowed Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary and the Wildlife Conservation Order, checked October 22, 2026.
Bag and license rules for black bears
The limits a conservation officer checks for black bears, and the licenses that make them legal.
Black bear
One bear per license; one bear license per year. No cubs (under 42 in. nose to tail base) or sows with cubs.
Licenses for black bears
| Item | Michigan resident | Senior resident | Ages 10-16 | Out of state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
| Bear application | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Bear license | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25* |
| No-kill-tag bear license | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
Michigan rules for black bears: reporting, hours, orange
These cards cover the field rules for black bears, with hunting hours by zone below them.
After the shot
Within 72 hours present the unfrozen, undivided head and hide (or whole bear) at a DNR registration station for sealing.
Legal light
The bear day opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset; western zones add up to 18 minutes.
Wearing orange
Between Aug. 15 and April 30, a visible orange garment is required while hunting black bears in daylight. Archers hunting bear are exempt; firearm bear hunters are not.
Feed and bait
Bait 31 days before the BMU opener through season end; up to 3 bait stations per hunter (a person may tend up to 12 for 4 hunters); unlimited meat, fish, bakery and processed foods; no chocolate/cocoa or melatonin; deer-attracting foods limited to 2 gal and must be inaccessible to deer/elk where deer baiting is banned; on public and Commercial Forest land bait must be on the ground with no man-made containers. LP: bait/other methods only (no dogs) Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8; UP: no dogs Sept. 9-13.
Sunday hunting
Black bears may be hunted on Sundays; local township ordinances are the only limit to watch.
Bear bait
Bait 31 days before the BMU opener through season end; up to 3 bait stations per hunter (a person may tend up to 12 for 4 hunters); unlimited meat, fish, bakery and processed foods; no chocolate/cocoa or melatonin; deer-attracting foods limited to 2 gal and must be inaccessible to deer/elk where deer baiting is banned; on public and Commercial Forest land bait must be on the ground with no man-made containers. LP: bait/other methods only (no dogs) Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8; UP: no dogs Sept. 9-13.
Hounds
Bear dog training/use closed April 16-July 7; UP no dogs Sept. 9-13; LP no dogs Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8, dogs required Sept. 19-22; nonresidents may not guide bear hunts.
Registration
Within 72 hours present the unfrozen, undivided head and hide (or whole bear) at a DNR registration station for sealing.
No-kill-tag license
Base license plus bear license for a BMU/hunt period (drawing or leftover); no-kill-tag license to accompany with a weapon or run own dogs.
Dens and swimming bears
Cannot take a bear in a den, disturb a den, or take a swimming bear.
First and last light, bear season
| Day | Season point | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2026 | Hunt period 1 opens | 6:36 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 8:34 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) opens | 6:39 a.m. to 8:17 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 8:23 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 8:29 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. |
| Sep 14, 2026 | Hunt period 2 opens | 6:41 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 8:32 p.m. |
| Sep 22, 2026 | Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) closes | 6:50 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Hunt period 3 opens | 6:53 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 8:02 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Hunt period 1 (archery only) opens | 7:00 a.m. to 7:44 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 8:02 p.m. |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Hunt period 1 (archery only) closes | 7:07 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Hunt period 1 closes | 7:22 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Oct 26, 2026 | Hunt period 2 closes | 7:28 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 7:46 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summaries: harvest reporting, MCL 324.40116 hunter orange, baiting, hunting hours tables, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours by zone · Michigan hunting laws.
Michigan bear units
Licenses, the nonresident cap (5% of each hunt), first-choice applicants and the 2025 registrations, unit by unit.
| Bear unit | Hunt periods | 2026 quota | Max nonresident | Applicants 2025 | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carney | 3 | 565 | 27 | 2,311 | 165 |
| Red Oak | 1 | 685 | 34 | 9,336 | 282 |
| Bergland | 3 | 835 | 40 | 1,594 | 247 |
| Baraga | 3 | 1,570 | 77 | 3,080 | 349 |
| Amasa | 3 | 510 | 25 | 1,495 | 205 |
| Gwinn | 3 | 735 | 36 | 2,318 | 220 |
| Newberry | 3 | 880 | 44 | 4,672 | 334 |
| Baldwin | 1 | 395 | 19 | 2,762 | 114 |
| Gladwin | 1 | 95 | 4 | 1,165 | 33 |
| Dansville | None | – | – | – | – |
| Drummond Island | 1 | 8 | 0 | 199 | 8 |
2026 bear summary, WCO 12.550-12.559, checked October 22, 2026.
DNR bear harvest data
Applicants grew from 67,988 in 2024 to 72,872 in 2025.
| BMU | Period | Registered 2024 | Registered 2025 (prelim.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amasa | 1 | 62 | 69 |
| Amasa | 2 | 61 | 70 |
| Amasa | 3 | 56 | 66 |
| Baldwin | 1 | 150 | 114 |
| Baraga | 1 | 121 | 123 |
| Baraga | 2 | 115 | 116 |
| Baraga | 3 | 116 | 110 |
| Bergland | 1 | 93 | 75 |
| Bergland | 2 | 86 | 85 |
| Bergland | 3 | 73 | 87 |
| Carney | 1 | 43 | 40 |
| Carney | 2 | 54 | 70 |
| Carney | 3 | 60 | 55 |
| Drummond Island | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Gladwin | 1 | 43 | 33 |
| Gwinn | 1 | 68 | 65 |
| Gwinn | 2 | 73 | 71 |
| Gwinn | 3 | 70 | 84 |
| Newberry | 1 | 117 | 108 |
| Newberry | 2 | 93 | 99 |
| Newberry | 3 | 119 | 127 |
| Red Oak | 1 | 346 | 282 |
Harvest survey by BMU
| Unit | Hunters 2023 | Harvest 2023 | Success 2023 | Hunters 2024 | Harvest 2024 | Success 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amasa | 427 | 162 | 38% | 415 | 182 | 44% |
| Baldwin | 343 | 118 | 34% | 337 | 141 | 42% |
| Baraga | 480 | 131 | 27% | 546 | 178 | 33% |
| Bergland | 656 | 221 | 34% | 690 | 298 | 43% |
| Carney | 368 | 114 | 31% | 434 | 192 | 44% |
| Drummond Is. | 6 | 4 | 72% | 6 | 4 | 58% |
| Gladwin | 78 | 26 | 34% | 86 | 41 | 48% |
| Gwinn | 638 | 237 | 37% | 648 | 237 | 36% |
| Newberry | 821 | 372 | 45% | 803 | 367 | 46% |
| Red Oak | 622 | 270 | 43% | 605 | 345 | 57% |
| Pure MI Hunt | 3 | 2 | 67% | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Statewide | 5,007 | 1,823 | 36% | 5,114 | 2,272 | 44% |
Harvest data: bear summary registrations, DNR bear harvest reports. Figures as the DNR labels them, checked October 22, 2026.
Michigan places for black bears
7 public properties list bear, most of them national forest records; the largest is Michigan State Forest System.
| Public land | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State Forest System | State Forest | Alcona, Alger, Alpena… | 3,954,811 |
| Ottawa National Forest | National Forest | Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton… | 1,000,750 |
| Huron-Manistee National Forest | National Forest | Alcona, Crawford, Iosco… | 979,067 |
| Hiawatha National Forest | National Forest | Alger, Chippewa, Delta… | 899,499 |
| Seney National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Schoolcraft | 95,238 |
| Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore | National Lakeshore | Alger | 73,235 |
| Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Management Area (6,684 acres) | Federal WMA | Ogemaw, Clare, Oscoda… | 6,684 |
Highest bear harvest
- Newberry367 bears
- Red Oak345 bears
- Bergland298 bears
- Gwinn237 bears
- Carney192 bears
- Amasa182 bears
- Baraga178 bears
- Baldwin141 bears
- Gladwin41 bears
- Drummond Is.4 bears
Properties and their game lists from DNR, USFS, FWS and NPS pages and the DNR land layers, retrieved 2026-10-22. Michigan public land directory · County guides.
Black Bear weapon rules
The weapon rows and method rules from the summaries and the WCO that apply to black bears.
| Season | Permitted | Not permitted |
|---|---|---|
| Bear | Shotgun, rifle > .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, handgun > .22 rimfire, bow, crossbow; LP Oct. 2-8 archery (bow/crossbow) only. | Semi-automatics holding more than 6 shells; firearms in LP BMUs Oct. 2-8. |
| Archery seasons | Bow; crossbow (draw weight 100 lb+; LP all archery dates; UP early segment only unless permit/senior); arrows/bolts 14 in.+ with broadhead 7/8 in.+ wide. | Carrying a firearm while bowhunting deer unless licensed for an open firearm season or carrying a pistol under a CPL/exception. |
How black bears may be hunted in Michigan
Bear hunting with dogs
Bear dog training/use closed April 16-July 7; UP no dogs Sept. 9-13; LP no dogs Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8, dogs required Sept. 19-22; nonresidents may not guide bear hunts.
Drones and vehicles
No hunting from cars, snowmobiles, aircraft, drones, motorboats, ORVs or sailboats (special permits excepted); drones may not be used to locate or recover game.
Safety zones
No hunting with a firearm within 150 yards (450 ft) of an occupied building, dwelling, cabin or farm building without written permission of the owner/occupant.
Michigan regulation summaries, the Wildlife Conservation Order and MCL part 401, checked October 22, 2026.
Black Bear: questions from hunters
When is the Michigan bear application period?
May 1-June 1, 2026, $5; Results June 22, 2026; leftovers July 6 (applicants) and July 13 (all). Preference-point-only option; party up to 4.
How many preference points does a Michigan bear license take?
Resident points needed in 2025 ran from 7–8 for Carney hunt 0010, 3–4 for Carney hunt 0011, 1–2 for Carney hunt 0012, 9–10 for Red Oak hunt 0020, 3–4 for Bergland hunt 0001, 0–1 for Bergland hunt 0002; each BMU page has the full list.
When are hounds allowed for Michigan bear?
Bear dog training/use closed April 16-July 7; UP no dogs Sept. 9-13; LP no dogs Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8, dogs required Sept. 19-22; nonresidents may not guide bear hunts.
Which bear unit has the most licenses?
Baraga BMU hunt 0006 with 830 licenses; Drummond Island has the fewest, 8.
How many nonresidents get Michigan bear licenses?
At most 5% of each hunt: Carney 0010 4, Carney 0011 7, Carney 0012 16, Red Oak 0020 34, Bergland 0001 8, and none on Drummond Island.
Is the take of black bears capped in Michigan?
One bear per license; one bear license per year. No cubs (under 42 in. nose to tail base) or sows with cubs.
Which dates are set for black bears this license year?
Black bears run hunt period 1 Sep 9 to Oct 21, 2026 (Amasa BMU); hunt period 1 Sep 9 to Oct 21, 2026 (Baraga BMU); hunt period 1 Sep 9 to Oct 21, 2026 (Bergland BMU); hunt period 1 Sep 9 to Oct 21, 2026 (Carney BMU); hunt period 1 Sep 9 to Oct 21, 2026 (Drummond Island BMU). More bear rows, zone by zone, appear in the table.
Which public properties in Michigan list black bears?
Begin with Michigan State Forest System, Ottawa National Forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest, the biggest of 7 on the list.
What must I buy before going after black bears in Michigan?
The bear list, resident: Base license ($11); Bear application ($5); Bear license ($25); No-kill-tag bear license ($15).
When must bear hunters wear hunter orange?
Between Aug. 15 and April 30, a visible orange garment is required while hunting black bears in daylight. Archers hunting bear are exempt; firearm bear hunters are not.
When does legal hunting time start and end for black bears?
The bear day opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset; western zones add up to 18 minutes.
How do I report black bears in Michigan?
Within 72 hours present the unfrozen, undivided head and hide (or whole bear) at a DNR registration station for sealing.
Are bait sites allowed for black bears?
Bait 31 days before the BMU opener through season end; up to 3 bait stations per hunter (a person may tend up to 12 for 4 hunters); unlimited meat, fish, bakery and processed foods; no chocolate/cocoa or melatonin; deer-attracting foods limited to 2 gal and must be inaccessible to deer/elk where deer baiting is banned; on public and Commercial Forest land bait must be on the ground with no man-made containers. LP: bait/other methods only (no dogs) Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 2-8; UP: no dogs Sept. 9-13.
What may a bear hunter carry afield?
Bear: Shotgun, rifle > .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, handgun > .22 rimfire, bow, crossbow; LP Oct. 2-8 archery (bow/crossbow) only.
Does the bear season run on Sundays in Michigan?
Black bears may be hunted on Sundays; local township ordinances are the only limit to watch.
Black Bear checklist
For black bears on public ground, read the property page as well as the statewide rules.
Other photos on this page: Maslowski, Steve, USFWS (Public domain); Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0); A. Drauglis (CC BY-SA 2.0); Don Henise (CC BY 2.0).