MISSOURI, USA — This week kicks off the annual bear hunting season in Missouri, but the window is very short.
Nate Bowersock is a black bear and furbearer biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He said black bears typically inhabit southern Missouri near the Ozarks.
"Our bear population has been growing steadily for the last several decades," Bowersock said.
The department estimates that Missouri's black bear population is between 950 and 990. But over the years, the population has moved northward, causing bear sightings in the St. Louis area, leading the department to implement a bear hunting season.
This year the 10-day season is from Oct. 21-30.
"We allow a select few the opportunity to hunt bears. But not, we're not using as a management tool. We're not harvesting enough bears to impact the population. So right now, we make 400 tags available with a 40 bear harvest limit," Bowersock said.
If hunters harvest the limit before the season is over, the bear hunting season could end early.
The most bears that have been harvested in Missouri in a season has been 12.
"Likely, if you sat in the woods, you know, for a week or two straight, the likelihood of running into a bear is really low, and so it takes a lot more work to harvest a bear,' Bowersock said.
According to the MDC, the bear hunting season regulations have stayed the same since they started a bear hunting season in 2019, but Bowersock said that might change after this year.
"We'll probably review the results of the 2024 season, and we might look at making shifts in the hunting season itself," Bowersock said.
Above everything, Bowersock wants hunters and recreationists to know safety needs to be top of mind.
"It's important for hunters to wear your hunter orange so that you're visible. to other hunters in the woods. Then also, those people that are recreating, you know, so they can see you, too. So this is to potentially put space between you and and the hunters," Bowersock said.
There are several restrictions in place for the bear hunting season including the size of the firearm which can be no larger than a number four or a .22 caliber or smaller rifle. It is illegal for hunters to use ATV's unless they are a landowner.
If caught breaking these rules, hunters could lose their privileges.
For all hunting restrictions in Missouri, regardless of the type of animal, you can head here.