Report Nr. 3158 1990 Michigan Black Bear Hunter Survey

For the first time in the history of Michigan bear hunting, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) implemented a bear harvest zone and quota system statewide in 1990. Eight bear management units were established, seven in the Upper Peninsula including Drummond Island and one covering much of the northern Lower Peninsula. Separate harvest quotas were established for each unit and a limited number of hunters permitted to take bear in 1990. Each harvest tag allowed the taking of one bear that was not a cub. There were two hunt periods for each of the Upper Peninsula units except Drummond Island which had only one. There was only one hunt period in the Lower Peninsula. A total of 3,733 bear hunters harvested 739 bear during the 1990 season. The take resulted in a 20 percent success rate for hunters with a harvest tag. The harvest was comprised of 64 percent males, 35 percent females, and one percent bears of unknown sex. Hunters were asked to rate their 1990 bear hunting experiences. Sixty percent of the hunters rated their bear hunting as "good" or "very good." Twenty-four percent gave a rating of "poor" or "very poor," Successful hunters were more likely to rate their bear hunting as at least "good" (89%) compared to unsuccessful hunters (52%).