We've covered the big game bases in as many areas as possible, giving space to those parts of the country making news. We have the latest on new hunts, expanded seasons, rule changes and harvest predictions from biologists and wildlife managers across North America. Finally, remember that you won't find any mention of whitetails, mulies or blacktails in this forecast, that will be published very soon! So stay tuned.

HEALTHY HUNTING
Bumper mast crop in '02 puts Wisconsin bears in great shape.
A bumper acorn crop last fall sent Badger State bruins into winter hibernation fat and healthy, says Department of Natural Resources researcher Mike Gappa. "I monitored 10 hibernating sows, and many weighed over 300 pounds, which means they went into their dens at 400 or better."

Such data indicate Wisconsin bears are not only healthy but their numbers are strong. The population is estimated at 12,000 animals.

"That's very close to our management goal, and all indications point to another good season in 2003," says Gappa. The state issued 4,710 harvest permits for this fall's hunt.

While Badger State bear hunters are living the good old days right now, pulling a tag remains their biggest challenge.

"In Zone B, it takes at least eight preference points to draw a kill tag," Gappa says. "In zones A and A-1, it takes five or six. Even in Zone C you need at least four points to draw."

Gappa notes that big bears "come from everywhere, but since we don't have dog hunting in Zone C, there may be a better population of older, and therefore larger, animals."

BOOM AND BUST
Bruins set records in Michigan while elk numbers are lean.
Hunters tagged 2,221 black bears in Michigan last fall and set another harvest record in the process. The previous record (2,104 bears) was set in 2001 and marked the sixth consecutive season of increasing harvests since the state went to a quota system. Still, the statewide population remains stable to growing, and in response the Department of Natural Resources will issue a record 10,900 tags for the 2003 hunt.

DNR black bear researcher Elaine Carlson says the healthiest bear numbers continue to be found in the western counties of the Upper Peninsula, which features a lot of public land.

Drawing a tag in the Lower Peninsula remains a challenge, but in the western UP, "over 60 percent of hunters drew tags for the third hunting period in Bergland and Carney Units," says Carlson.

An elk tag remains one of Michigan's most coveted big game licenses, and DNR biologist Glen Mathews says there will likely be no increase in tags for this fall. Tags will probably stay around the 150 mark.

This number reflects a steady decline in licenses in recent years. The hunt is limited to Michigan residents. Tentative season dates are December 9-16.

BEARS APLENTY
Low harvest last year may mean good news for Minnesotans.
Gopher State bruin hunters could be set to notch a harvest record in 2003, provided they get some help from Mother Nature "Last year, abundant natural food sources really limited hunter success," says Department of Natural Resources big game biologist Lou Cornicelli. "We harvested only 1,915 bears, down from 4,930 animals in 2001. We could have a good harvest if there's a poor food year in the woods."

Baiting is the primary method in Minnesota, so if food is plentiful, baiting is less effective. This fall's season will be held from September 1 to October 12. The DNR issued 20,110 permits to hunters in 11 quota areas. Licenses in the no-quota area are unlimited, may be purchased over the counter and are good for two bears.

All indications point to another fine moose hunt in the state's northeastern counties this fall. The DNR's Mark Lenarz confirms the state is issuing 224 permits to residents only.

"Success rates are typically in the 70 to 80 percent range, and the harvest is largely bulls," he says.

FINDING BALANCE
More antlerless elk tags available in South Dakota.
Hunters wanting to up their odds on drawing a South Dakota elk license could have better prospects this year, providing they're willing to accept an antlerless tag. According to GFP biologist John Reed, the number of antlerless elk tags may nearly double in some units--a response, he says, to a growing number of depredation complaints.

The state's prime elk range is the Black Hills, but smaller herds exist in Bennett, Butte and Gregory counties. Usually, more than 11,000 applicants vie for about 1,000 tags. The hunt is residents-only. Harvest estimates from 2002 indicate hunters tagged 394 cows and 307 bulls. "We'll try to replicate that ratio this fall," Reed says.

South Dakota antelope are holding their own. "Our harvests haven't shown a great fluctuation in the last four to five years," says Reed. "I believe that trend should continue."

Preliminary counts from the '02 season show that firearms hunters took about 3,000 bucks and 1,500 does in the October season for a 68 percent success rate. Only 8 percent of licenses were issued to nonresidents. Archery tags remain unlimited for everyone.

SLOW PROGRESS
Pronghorns may be making a comeback in Nebraska.
The Panhandle region of northwest Nebraska remains the best bet for hopeful antelope hunters. "The North Sioux Unit was our best producer last fall," says Todd Nordeen, wildlife biologist with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. "Success rates there were 66 percent." Other top units included Banner North, Banner South and Box Butte West.

Nebraska's pronghorns are still recovering from some rough weather a couple of years ago, according Nordeen. "Since we don't have the habitat and forage that states like Wyoming do, storms really hurt us," he says. "But if we can get through this winter all right, our herds can begin to recover."

Blackpowder hunters have enjoyed a special season for three years now, and interest in the hunt remains strong. Archers (including nonresidents) can purchase their tags over the counter; last season 400 bowhunters took 33 pronghorns. Nordeen says some of the most popular archery areas are found in the 94,000-acre Ogallala National Grasslands.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
NORTH DAKOTA estimates for the 2003 season weren't complete at press time, but Game & Fish biologist Bill Jensen feels pronghorn populations will be similar to last fall, between 5,000 and 6,000 animals.

Top counties include Bowman and Slope in the southwest, home to the spacious Little Missouri National Grassland. Last year, 925 firearms tags were issued to residents, and a similar number is expected this year. Success rates approach 85 percent for rifle hunters. Archery tags are issued over the counter (nonresidents included) and bowhunters enjoy success rates from 25 to 30 percent.