bear hunt question

[glenn57]

hey bear hunters, got a question. i applied for a license last year and did not get one. anyone have any ideas on ones chance of getting one in 2013??? i hunt up by squaw lake talmoon area and the permit number escapes me right now. i may start collecting bait already.

[deadeye]

I assume it's area 26. 

2012 - 550 permits

2011 - 660 permits - 1894 applications

If the application numbers remained the same, it could be 3-4 years before you could expect to get a license.

[Bear Creek Bucks]

I've wondered in MN if you're chances get better each year you don't get one. For whatever reason, my old man seems to get drawn every year, and the brother and I are very hit and miss...good luck!

[deadeye]

Preference levels: Each year that you apply for a bear license and don't get drawn for one, you earn a preference point until you are drawn. If you are a first-year applicant or a previous-year winner, you are a preference level 1. The higher your preference level, the better chance of getting a license. For example, a preference level 2 has a better chance of getting a license than a preference level 1. Group preference works the same way. Some of our lottery drawings you can apply for as a group, such as this one; your group's preference is the same as the preference of the member with the lowest preference level.

 

[glenn57]

i know the preference level deal. its been 4 years or so since i applied before i started again last year. and it had been an every other year thing. funny thing is talkingto the locals up in the area we hunt, they didnt even know there was a bear season.........................noone was around.

and deadeye your correct it is area 26!!!!!!!!!

[stevejedlenski]

just make sure you use the same MN DNR number they gave you when you applied the year before otherwise it wont give you preference.

[kenhuntin]

just make sure you use the same MN DNR number they gave you when you applied the year before otherwise it wont give you preference.

It used to be that  If any of your information does not coincide with what they have you registered as you get kicked out of the system. In the old days before electronic registration there were quite a few applicants that were eliminated from drawings because they wrote todays date instead of thier birthdate. Perhaps they got that handled now and the computer will not  accept the application at time of purchase unless it is correct.

[glenn57]

i decided that either way i am going to start collecting bait. got a couple freezers plus mother nature right now to freeze the bait. i can always sell it if i dont get drawn. i have a good oppurtunity to get a lot collected now!!!

[stevejedlenski]

kenhuntin, it still says this on their website. i belive its because if you register with your drivers license it gives you another MN DNR number. i may be wrong but their website says to use the same one as last years.