Black Bear Seasons

Bear Regulations

Bag Limit: One bear per tag, except it is unlawful to take cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs less than one year old.

Within a calendar year, and during authorized seasons, a hunter may harvest:

• One bear with a General Season Fall Tag
• One bear with an Additional General Season Fall Tag
• One bear with a Controlled Spring Bear Tag

It is unlawful to:

• Use bait to attract black bear and using dogs to hunt or pursue black bear is prohibited.
• Hunt with a centerfire rifle without a valid (used or unused) deer or elk tag during certain time periods and areas; see General Hunting Regulations.

General Season Fall Tag Sale Deadline

Oct. 6, see License, Tag, & Permit Fees

Statewide Season:

Aug. 1 - Dec. 31

Additional Tag: An additional bear tag may be purchased throughout the season; however, hunters must purchase the general season tag prior to the tag sale deadline to be eligible for the additional tag.

Mandatory Check for All Harvested Bears

• The skull of any bear taken must be presented to an ODFW field office or designated collection site within 10 days of the kill to be checked and marked; the hunter is responsible to have it presented.
• Hunters are required to check-in the skull only.
• Skull must be unfrozen when presented for check-in and please prop open mouth so tooth can be accessed. Inserting a stick or dowel between the molars prior to freezing/drying out will help keep jaw open.
• Hunters are requested but not required to submit the reproductive tract of any female bear harvested, see diagram on pg 65.
• Check-in at ODFW field offices must occur by appointment during normal business hours (Mon. - Fri., 8am - 5pm). Please call ahead to make arrangements to have the bear checked.
• At check-in, hunters must provide:
  • Sex of animal.
  • Date and location including Wildlife Management Unit of harvest.
  • Complete hunter information including the issued date and time of a paper tag or the confirmation number of an electronic tag; a completed “Wildlife Transfer Record Form” (see Wildlife Transfer Record Form) is an alternative for providing the needed information.
• Hunters must still complete mandatory reporting via the internet.