Approximately 2,700 bears have been shot in Minnesota as of Monday according to the Minnesota DNR. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News says that number is "pretty good" compared last year where Minnesota was at 1,600 at the same time last year. Schmitt says the bear harvest is up about 40% from season. He says the expectation was that this would be a good bear hunting season and that is holding true. Schmitt believes the expectation was that 3,500 to 4,000 bears would be shot in the state this season. The bear hunting season continues through October 18. Schmitt says 2024 saw one of the highest amount of bears shot at 3,530. He says reports he's heard indicate that most hunters who wanted to shoot a bear, have.