MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced preliminary results for the 2025 bear season, revealing a harvest of 3,724 bears.

That number aligns closely with the five-year average of about 3,800 bears annually. The harvest fell slightly short of the target of 4,075 bears but was within the expected range.

"Reports from the field seemed variable this year," said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. He noted that factors like abundant acorns and corn, as well as temperature fluctuations, affected hunting success.

The bear season ran from Sept. 3 to Oct. 7, with 13,110 licenses issued through a lottery system. Statewide hunter success was about 28%, slightly below the five-year average of 32%.

"Each year, we evaluate the outcome of the harvest

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