Randy Johnson, the Wisconsin DNR’s large carnivore specialist, says the state's bear population is stable or growing in neary every zone.

The DNR's Randy Johnson will ask for a 2025 bear harvest quota of 4,075 animals, which is up from the 2024 quota of 3,850.

The data from this year’s harvest will play an important role in determining future harvest levels and ensuring that Wisconsin’s bear population remains healthy ... should make sure to check the new ...

According to Johnson, Wisconsin has roughly 25,000 bears. This is a much larger population than Michigan or Minnesota. Part of the reason we have such a robust bear population is because of the ...

In fact, by all measures, the population is stable or even growing in all of our bear zones,” Johnson told the board. Wisconsin had about 23,000 bears last year across its six bear management zones.