WI Bear Hunting Season Set to Open News | September 3, 2024 | 0 | by Morgan McCarthy Bear hunting season opens tomorrow in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says the bear population covers more than half of the state, mostly in northern and central Wisconsin forests. Samples provided by hunters play a role in black bear research — the DNR says harvested bears help monitor the health of future populations. Right now, there are about 26-thousand bears statewide. The season goes until October eighth.