The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is the only bear species found in Wisconsin. Its population has seen a significant rebound over the past several decades, representing a success story in wildlife management. State agencies focus on balancing the species’ long-term health with managing its interactions with the human population. Management of this large carnivore is guided by scientific data to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Current Population and Growth Trends
The current black bear population in Wisconsin is estimated to be 23,000 to 24,000 animals. This figure represents a dramatic increase from historical lows. For context, the estimated population was only about 9,000 bears in 1989, meaning the number has more than doubled since then. This growth is a result of effective conservation efforts and a carefully regulated management system.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses harvest quotas to control and stabilize the growing population. These annual quotas are set regionally by management zone, with the goal of increasing, maintaining, or decreasing bear numbers in specific areas. For example, the 2024 quota was approved at 3,850 bears statewide, designed to meet management objectives. This regulated harvest, combined with habitat protection, sustains the population at a level that minimizes human-bear conflict.
Where Wisconsin Bears Live
Black bears traditionally occupied the northern third of Wisconsin, where dense forests provided their preferred habitat. This region remains the core stronghold for the state’s bear population. Bears favor large forested areas, including a mixture of hardwood and conifer trees, swamps, and streams. They rely on this dense cover for bedding, thermal protection, and concealment.
Due to population expansion, the black bear’s range has steadily extended into central and western Wisconsin. Bears are now more common in the southern two-thirds of the state, outside their historical concentration. This southerly movement is facilitated by an abundant population and suitable habitat. Sightings are now reported in all but a few counties in the extreme southeastern corner of the state. Movement into new areas is sometimes a response to available food sources, which can lead them near human settlements.
How the Bear Population is Monitored
The Wisconsin DNR relies on a sophisticated population model to generate annual black bear estimates. This model is primarily an age-at-harvest analysis, using data collected from bears harvested during the regulated hunting season. Hunters must submit two upper first premolar teeth from each harvested bear to the DNR. Scientists analyze these teeth by counting the cementum annuli, which are growth rings that accurately determine the bear’s age.
This age data, combined with the sex and location of the kill, is integrated into the population model to estimate overall abundance and reproductive rates for each management zone. The model’s starting parameters were established using intensive field research, such as a mark-recapture study conducted in 2011 and 2012. For ongoing calibration, the DNR also studies reproduction by locating winter dens, often with public assistance. Researchers collect biological data, including litter size and cub survival rates, which are essential inputs for generating accurate population projections and setting future management goals.