Bears

[Butcher]

Hey all I am hoping you can help me with a few questions about baiting bears in Minnesota. I’m a little confused on verifying bait sites. Do you establish the sight and then verify it on the dnr site?
Are previous year baiter’s grandfathered in to spots or is always a first come basis? Are you able to trim branches or anything on public for bait sites? I’m out of state so I wouldn’t be able to bait except maybe once before season, are roller barrels legal as long as it’s chained to the tree? Not sure if its even worth the effort ? Trail cams aren’t allowed on wmas from what I understand but other public areas?
I’m full of questions. Just trying to make it thru the winter months. Thanks guys for any input

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Hey all I am hoping you can help me with a few questions about baiting bears in Minnesota. I’m a little confused on verifying bait sites. Do you establish the sight and then verify it on the dnr site?
Are previous year baiter’s grandfathered in to spots or is always a first come basis? Are you able to trim branches or anything on public for bait sites? I’m out of state so I wouldn’t be able to bait except maybe once before season, are roller barrels legal as long as it’s chained to the tree? Not sure if its even worth the effort ? Trail cams aren’t allowed on wmas from what I understand but other public areas?
I’m full of questions. Just trying to make it thru the winter months. Thanks guys for any input

Call the DNR….never trust what the internet has to say

 

[mntatonka]

Most of your questions are answered here: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/bear/bear-regs.pdf?v=2025.08.18-11.06.15

The rest, I'd recommend contacting the DNR to be sure.

 

[NoWiser]

Call the DNR. I don’t believe nonresidents are allowed to use barrels.

 

[brian flatlander]

Hey all I am hoping you can help me with a few questions about baiting bears in Minnesota. I’m a little confused on verifying bait sites. Do you establish the sight and then verify it on the dnr site?
Are previous year baiter’s grandfathered in to spots or is always a first come basis? Are you able to trim branches or anything on public for bait sites? I’m out of state so I wouldn’t be able to bait except maybe once before season, are roller barrels legal as long as it’s chained to the tree? Not sure if its even worth the effort ? Trail cams aren’t allowed on wmas from what I understand but other public areas?
I’m full of questions. Just trying to make it thru the winter months. Thanks guys for any input

For some its more satisfying to do it yourself. In your case first time bear hunting (im guessing) you might be better off hiring someone to bait for you. If you can only bait once and on your first trip you going to be competing with neighboring bait sites that will be very active because of the frequiency they are getting refreshed. when you figure gas, bait, time paying for a several active baits is worth it. Also do you have any points i believe a lot of zones take 3 pts. now unless you get lucky in return draw. Not trying to discourage just my 2 cents hope this helps you and good luck!

 

[Bonasababy]

Hey all I am hoping you can help me with a few questions about baiting bears in Minnesota. I’m a little confused on verifying bait sites. Do you establish the sight and then verify it on the dnr site?
Are previous year baiter’s grandfathered in to spots or is always a first come basis? Are you able to trim branches or anything on public for bait sites? I’m out of state so I wouldn’t be able to bait except maybe once before season, are roller barrels legal as long as it’s chained to the tree? Not sure if its even worth the effort ? Trail cams aren’t allowed on wmas from what I understand but other public areas?
I’m full of questions. Just trying to make it thru the winter months. Thanks guys for any input

See the regs posted above.

You can either register your bait site online or mail it in. I suggest online its easy.

You have to do this every year for each site even if that same site has been registered in previous years.

Branch trimming is ok. There are rules preventing cutting trees for shooting lanes. Normally you want the bait in or near thick cover and your stand or blind not far away.

Barrels have regs and a fee, see the regs for that.

Trail cameras are ok on wmas if strapped on and marked with your personal info, but you cant use screws or nails and you cant leave them overnight on most wmas.

I'd have to know what other public lands you are hunting to answer camera questions on them.

This is all good info for LAST year's season. DNRs bear committee meets to review population status, the previous season results, recommend permit numbers (I would expect a slight increase in them again) and any new regs in the next few months...usually not much changes from year to year but be sure to check before baiting starts.

Are planning to hunt a no quota area or quota area? If the latter you will need to apply for a permit by early May. Usually the deadline to apply is the first Friday in May, which would be May 2nd this year.

Outside No quota areas permits are allocated on a preference system...it can take 6 years or so of applying before you can draw one.

If you arent drawn for a permit, there are a limited number of first come first served over the counter permits available in some permit areas...thats a whole other discussion.

 

[mn taxidermist]

I'd highly recommend going with a guide . It gets awfully expensive baiting yourself

 

[Butcher]

Just heard back from the DNR and they were able to answer quite a few questions. I have a lot of reading to do is what it boils down too. I didn’t see anything where a non resident couldn’t use a barrel as long as he has license and pays the fee.
Also I hunted with a outfitter in the no quota area. And was successful but Just like anything else though the cost keeps climbing and was wanting to do something with my son. We both love fishing and there is plenty of fishing up there in the no quota area. Wanting something simple, not too far away from home and be able to hunt something other than whitetail.
Thanks guys for your help, I’ll definitely dive into the regs. The thing that throws me off is there is so many different types of oublic land. Iowa has a little county and state ground. It’s something new to learn about

 

[NoWiser]

Looks like on private land or under 30 gallons a NR may be ok.

Sec. 97B.426 MN Statutes

www.revisor.mn.gov

 

[Butcher]

Looks like on private land or under 30 gallons a NR may be ok.

Sec. 97B.426 MN Statutes

www.revisor.mn.gov

I see what your saying now. The DNR I contacted didn’t say anything about it. Well that’s a kink in the plan. I will reach out to a different officer and ask directly. I appreciate th heads up

 

[NoWiser]

I see what your saying now. The DNR I contacted didn’t say anything about it. Well that’s a kink in the plan. I will reach out to a different officer and ask directly. I appreciate th heads up

It also spells it out in the bear regulations.

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/bear/bear-regs.pdf?v=2025.08.18-11.06.15