Big Game
Black Bear hunting regulations.
Huntable in 31 states · 26 with a general season · 3 draw / limited entry.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
State by state
Where black bear is huntable.
Tap a state for black bear-specific regulations and a link to the agency. Bield does not yet ship specific season dates or bag limits — verify with the agency before hunting.
- AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArkansasArkansas Game and Fish CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- GeorgiaGeorgia DNR Wildlife Resources DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesSSpecial permit / depredationVerify →
- MaineMaine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MarylandMaryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage ServiceDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- MassachusettsMassWildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MichiganMichigan DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MinnesotaMinnesota DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New JerseyNJ Division of Fish and WildlifeSSpecial permit / depredationVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New YorkNY DECYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North CarolinaNC Wildlife Resources CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OregonOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Game CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- South CarolinaSC Department of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyYGeneral seasonVerify →
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- VermontVermont Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VirginiaVirginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- West VirginiaWV Division of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WisconsinWisconsin DNRDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
About the species
Black bears are the most widely distributed bear species in North America, occupying most of Canada and Alaska plus a patchwork of states from Maine to Florida and across the West. Mature boars range from 150 pounds in food-poor regions to over 600 pounds where berries, mast, and ag waste are abundant. Coat color varies dramatically — true black is the namesake, but cinnamon, chocolate, blonde, and silver-tipped bears all occur, especially in the West.
Bear hunting splits into spring and fall seasons in most jurisdictions, with regional variation in baiting, hounds, and spot-and-stalk methods. Spring hunts target boars emerging from dens before sows leave with cubs, hitting riparian green-up. Fall hunts intersect bears packing on weight before hibernation, hitting oak mast and berry production. Population status varies by state — some run general OTC seasons, others impose draws or unit-quota restrictions.
Pattern black bear on your land.
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