BearPaw Guiding

BearPaw Guiding is a licensed Minnesota black bear hunting guide service operating in the heart of bear country. They offer guided hunts for bow, rifle, and black powder hunters—whether you're a novice picking up your first tag or an experienced hunter chasing your personal best.

• •Guided black bear hunts in both Zone 12 (quota) and No Quota areas
• •Five-day hunts with multiple start dates throughout September
• •Hunt planning regardless of lottery outcome—book early and hunt either way
• •Member of the Minnesota Bear Guides Association

They're booking fall hunts on a first-come, first-served basis. Available five-day hunts:

Black bear licenses cost $44 for Minnesota residents and $230 for non-residents. Applications are due by early May for the fall season (which opens September 1). You can apply through any of Minnesota's 1,800 ELS agents, online at dnr.state.mn.us, or by calling 1-888-MNLicense. There's a $5 application fee for lottery entry.

BearPaw limits harvest to one bear per paid hunter to protect the resource for future generations.

BearPaw's guide Sydney earned Hunter of the Year awards from BearPaw in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024—taking the award in their sweet 16 and 17 years of guiding.