In terms of exact location, top producing counties per state are fairly evenly distributed, as well as in one region within the state. In Wisconsin, the top four counties (Bayfield, Price, Sawyer, Rusk) are all found in a cluster in the northern most latitude of the state. The same holds true for the top counties in Minnesota--all clustered in the middle of the state. Clearly, good bear habitat is not bound by county lines.

Finally, by ranking third in total entries among all North American species one can conclude that either a lot of hunters are hunting black bear and are successful, or relative to harvest there is a proportionally high number of bears that make the book.

• The data reveals only trophies scored and entered, meaning a particular region may be producing more trophy bears than registered, but not less.

• A mature bear does not guarantee a B&C trophy. Bears are scored by skull length and width. Genetically, a very old boar can have a proportionally small skull. Conversely a young bear can have a B&C skull.

• Skull size in impossible to judge in the field.

Conclusions
Mature animals exist everywhere there is a population. However with most species not every population produces records book-qualifying trophies. In the case of black bears, however, every population does have the potential of producing a record bear. What this B&C data shows are the regions where certain population densities can, and do, produce records book animals. Within these states and provinces, the current trend (past ten years) of records book bears appears to be on the up swing.

In terms of exact location, top producing counties per state are fairly evenly distributed, as well as in one region within the state. In Wisconsin, the top four counties (Bayfield, Price, Sawyer, Rusk) are all found in a cluster in the northern most latitude of the state. The same holds true for the top counties in Minnesota--all clustered in the middle of the state. Clearly, good bear habitat is not bound by county lines.

Finally, by ranking third in total entries among all North American species one can conclude that either a lot of hunters are hunting black bear and are successful, or relative to harvest there is a proportionally high number of bears that make the book.