Season is nigh; rebuilding Minnesota bear population remains the goal

Minnesota’s bear season opens Tuesday amid upbeat expectations.

Though hunter numbers will be low again, many believe a good season is ahead. That’s because the bear population seems to be on the upswing. Also, natural bear foods have been in only average or short supply for much of the summer. Together, these factors could draw good numbers of bears to hunters’ baits.

“Some of my baits are going gangbusters, and one isn’t,” said Dick Reese, vice president of the Minnesota Bear Guides Association “That tells me that in some areas bears are finding plenty of natural food.”

http://www.startribune.com/season-is-nigh-rebuilding-minnesota-bear-population-remains-the-goal/323100821/