Minnesota is one of the current US states that allows bear hunters to harass bears. However, they have specific laws and regulations regarding this type of hunting practice. These rules must be followed at all times; failure to comply can result in heavy fines and loss of hunting privileges. This article will explain the basics of the Minnesota bear baiting regulations to help you follow them correctly.

The first step is to know what “can’t” be used as bear bait, below is a list of materials that are not allowed under Minnesota hunting regulations.

• More than 25% of an intact mammalian carcass
• Mammalian meat containing bones
• mammalian bones
• Waste containing; bottles, cans, plastic, paper or metal
• non-biodegradable materials
• Pork (expectation: cured pork)

quick note: You may not leave 55-gallon drums, containers, trash bags, plastic buckets unattended at a bear bait station.

To establish a station, you must register it with the Minnesota DNR. You must mail the required forms for an established bait station by the next available postal service day that the bait station is created. All registered bait stations must display a sign at least 6″x10″, which must be plastic, metal, or wood. The sign must include the owner’s DNR number and driver’s license number OR the full name, address, and phone number of the bait station operator. The sign must be placed no lower than 6 feet and no higher than 10 feet from the ground, and must be within 20 feet of the bait station.

You are not allowed to set up a bear bait station within 150 yards of any registered campsite or within one-half mile of a garbage dump. You may not set up a bait station in area 22 with a bear permit.

It should be duly noted that NO HUNTER may hunt a white bear, which was introduced in 1998. Disturbing bear dens or using methods to remove a bear from its den or hunt one near its den is not permitted. Dogs are not allowed to be used as hunting aids, nor can dog training be practiced with bears. We hope this article has helped you learn more about bear hunting in Minnesota. If you would like more information on bear hunting in general, continue below.