Grand Rapids, Minn. Though it’s legal for bear hunters to shoot radio-collared bears, the Minnesota DNR is asking bear hunters not to do so this year.

In the past, the DNR emphasized that radio-collared bears were
legal game and encouraged hunters who shot collared bears to inform
the DNR and to leave the collar at the bear registration station.
These regulations and procedures haven’t changed, but research
goals have.

Now, research goals focus more on bear reproduction and movement
rather than bear mortality. Hunters shooting a collared bear should
immediately call the DNR Wildlife Research office in Grand Rapids
at (218) 327-4146 or (218) 327-4159.