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Friday, September 25th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Minnesota DNR using time stamp data to distribute remaining surplus bear tags after ELS disruption

State surplus 2026 black bear tag sales were paused indefinitely after an influx of users caused the new Electronic Licensing System to crash last week. (Stock Photo)

Many Minnesota bear hunters have been unable to purchase surplus bear tags since the sale opened Aug. 5, when high demand caused a “disruption” with the new Electronic Licensing System and forced the DNR to suspend sales.
The DNR gave an update to bear hunters on Tuesday, Aug. 11, nearly a week after the system was bogged down due to a high influx of users. In their statement on the Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Facebook page and DNR website, the DNR said it has reviewed their system records since the initial surplus sale on Aug. 5. From those, hunters who were fully successful in buying their license will maintain their license.

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