St. Paul Applications for the 2003 Minnesota black bear hunting season are being accepted by the Minnesota DNR through Friday, May 2. This year’s season, which will run from Sept. 1 through Oct. 12, offers 20,110 licenses available in 11 permit areas.

Applications, which can be made through the DNR’s Electronic
Licensing System, are available from 1,750 ELS agents throughout
Minnesota and the DNR License Center at 500 Lafayette Road in St.
Paul. Applications also can be made by calling 1-888-MNLICENse or
on the web at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Licenses may be purchased for the no-quota area an area outside
of the 11 permit areas where the number of licenses is not limited.
Those licenses can be purchased directly from any ELS agent after
July 1. Bear licenses cost $39 for residents and $196 for
nonresidents. The bag limit for bears will remain two for the
no-quota area, but one in the permit areas.