These Surprising Statistic Shows Just How Tough Life Is For Minnesota Bears

So the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently shared posts on social media asking hunters not to shoot radio-collared bears. Bear hunting season is officially underway, and I've learned some pretty surprising facts about bears from the DNR. First, did you know that 75% of bears that grow up are eventually shot by a hunter? It's the leading mortality rate for bears in Minnesota.

I've never been bear hunting, but I have many friends who do. So I'm not judging anyone who legally hunts bears. It just seemed like a surprising statistic, and it's even higher in some places.

Read More: Black Bears Extending Their Range South + West In Minnesota

In lottery areas, winners are notified by August 1st if they won a bear license. But in some parts of the state, there is no quota on bear licenses, meaning any legal hunter can purchase one.

Here are some facts about bears and how their behavior has been changing in recent years.