Michigan hunters took 2,026 bears in 2009, a harvest that was about 1.5 percent lower than projections by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
In 2008, hunters harvested 2,346 bears.
"The season went really well," said DNRE bear specialist Adam Bump. "We were very close to our harvest goal statewide."
Hunters harvested more bears than projected on Drummond Island and in the Red Oak unit in the Northern Lower Peninsula. The increased harvest in the Red Oak unit was likely due to regulations changes, such as lengthening the season by two days.
At Drummond Island, all three license holders successfully harvested bears.
