No doubt bear hunters are hoping for a poor acorn crop this fall. The super abundant 2023 acorn crop has shouldered much of the blame for a light bear harvest last season in Wisconsin, with the final harvest numbers coming in at 3,005 bears, well below the DNR’s harvest goal of 4,575 bears.
The 2024 bear season opens Wednesday, Sept. 4 and closes Tuesday, Oct. 8, with bait-sitters going first this year in the zones where baiters and hound hunters swap early and late openers.
Home » Home Page News » Dean Bortz: Better bear hunting success expected in Wisconsin over ’23 season
Dean Bortz: Better bear hunting success expected in Wisconsin over ’23 season
SUBSCRIBER CONTENT
Read this article now.
Create a free Outdoor News account.
Create a free account below to get instant access to this article, thousands of Outdoor News stories, and our digital editions. Your 1-month trial starts the moment you sign up.
No credit card required
No credit card required
No credit card required
Subscriber? Login Here.
Share on Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Hand-Picked For You
Harwood Lake: Fishing, yes, but multiple uses in New York’s Cattaraugus County
Steve Piatt
November 8, 2026
Young New York anglers score in Broome County free fishing derby
Staff Report
November 8, 2026
Fishing tournament season concludes on Lake Erie
Bill Hilts Jr.
November 8, 2026
New York Cuffs and Collars: Individuals fishing after hours on Salmon River
Staff Report
November 8, 2026
New York letters to the editor: Early antlerless season harvest numbers are hard to believe
New York Letters to the Editor
November 8, 2026
Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin’s Chippewa Flowage muskie survey
Max Wolter Wisconsin DNR Fish Biologist
November 7, 2026
Related Articles

Harwood Lake: Fishing, yes, but multiple uses in New York’s Cattaraugus County
Steve Piatt
November 8, 2026
Just as its name may imply, Harwood Lake is seemingly the main draw to the Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area

Young New York anglers score in Broome County free fishing derby
Staff Report
November 8, 2026
The Region 7 Broome County Sportsman Federation held its annual Willard J. Holmes Kids Free Fishing Derby on Sept. 12

Fishing tournament season concludes on Lake Erie
Bill Hilts Jr.
November 8, 2026
Dunkirk, N.Y. — After another solid year of Lake Erie walleye action, the fishing community enjoyed two final fishing events