DNR Apologizes for Bear Lottery Glitch

Fingers crossed you get the chance to take down a bear this fall? You're going to have to wait just a little bit longer.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is going to have to rerun its annual bear lottery due to a "computer-related error."

“The message to bear hunters is that we’ll get the word out when correct lottery results are available,” said Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife section chief. “We regret any inconvenience this misinformation has caused.”

Some hunters might be under the mistaken impression they have already been selected as a winner, due to incorrect information on the agency's website prior to the error being detected. No erroneous bear hunting licenses have been issued, however, according to the DNR.

The glitch occurred when 2009 data was used instead of 2010 information to determine hunter presence level, resulting in bear hunting permit winners being selected by mistake.

The DNR expects new lottery results to be posted on its website in early June, with permit winners being notified by mail later that month.