It’s time to think about your spring hunt schedule! One of the best ways to keep your glassing, stalking, and shooting game on point is to plan a black bear hunt. While bear hunting remains at the forefront of anti-hunting propaganda, it is important to not push off your goals of hunting black bears as often as you can. Most states offer general season, over-the-counter hunts as well as a few draw-only opportunities out west. The following table will highlight some of the seasons available for this year.
If you haven’t hunted black bears recently, we recommend you go again! Although the Huntin’ Fool magazine research data does not cover each black bear draw unit in detail, our in-house Hunt Advisors can help you select a state and hunt that fits your hunting style and goals. Huntin’ Fool Adventures also has many options for members to book an outfitted hunt if you’d like to get one scheduled. If you have any questions regarding any of these hunts, give us a call at 435-865-1020 and we will do our best to share with you the information to help you find transporters, new hunts, and the spring challenge you are looking for.
| WESTERN STATES BEAR HUNTS | ||
| State | Spring Season Black Bear | Fall Season Black Bear |
| Alaska | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Portions of units 1, 2, and 3 are draw only with a December 15th deadline to apply. | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Portions of units 1, 2, and 3 are draw only with a December 15th deadline to apply. |
| Arizona | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Total harvest quota and female harvest quotas per unit. | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Total harvest quota and female harvest quotas per unit. |
| California | No spring season available. | Over-the-counter general tags subject to a statewide harvest quota. |
| Colorado | No spring season available. | Over-the-counter add-on or general licenses available, most units. All units have a draw license season with a deadline to apply in April. |
| Idaho | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Units 22/31, 32, and 32A are draw only with an application deadline of February 15th. | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Units 1, 22/31, 32, and 32A are draw only with an application deadline of June 5th. |
| Montana | Over-the-counter license with harvest quota in some units. | Over-the-counter license with harvest quota in some units. |
| Nevada | No spring season available. | Draw tags only in 10 western units with an early May deadline to apply. Subject to unit harvest quotas. |
| New Mexico | No spring season available. | Over-the-counter tag, most units. Unit harvest quota. Units 2, 4, 9, 54, 55A, and 57 are draw only with an application deadline of February 10th. |
| Oregon | Draw hunts with an application deadline of February 10th. | General over-the-counter tag valid statewide. |
| Utah | Draw in most units with an application deadline of February 21st. Few units with over-the-counter tags subject to harvest quotas. | Draw in most units with an application deadline of February 21st. Few units with over-the-counter tags subject to harvest quotas. |
| Washington | The spring black bear hunt was cancelled per Commission order last year and remains closed. | General over-the-counter tag. |
| Wyoming | Over-the-counter license subject to female harvest quotas. | Over-the-counter license subject to female harvest quotas. |
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