Black Bear

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Area Restriction:

GMUs 157, 410-417, 419-424, 490, 522, and 655 are closed to fall bear hunting.

A special deer or elk permit in GMU 485 is required to hunt bear in GMU 485.

A mandatory bear identification test is required prior to hunting in GMUs 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 203, 204, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 242-244, 418, 426, 437, and 450.

License Required:

A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option.

Second Black Bear License/Tag:

A second black bear transport tag/license must be purchased to take a second bear. Hunters may purchase a maximum of two black bear transport tag/licenses.

Hunting Method:

Hunters may use any legal hunt method for hunting black bear. The use of dogs or bait for recreational hunting of black bear is prohibited statewide (RCW 77.15.245).

Black Bear Management Units

Map of Washington state showing color-coded wildlife management regions such as Columbia Basin, North Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, and Southeast. — Washington wildlife management map with color-coded regions including Columbia Basin, Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, and Northeast, used for hunting and habitat management.

Black Bear Management Unit (BBMU)	Hunt Area (GMU)	Season Dates	Bag Limit
1 – Northeast	105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124	August 1-November 15	2
2 – Columbia Basin	127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381	August 1-November 15	2
3 – Southeast	145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186	August 1-November 15	2
4 – Okanogan Highlands	101, 204	August 1-November 15	2
5 – Okanogan	203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243	August 15-November 15	1
6 – Central Cascades East	244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251, 328, 329, 330, 334, 335	August 1-November 15	2
7 – South Cascades East	336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578	August 1-November 15	2
8 – North Cascades West	418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 460	August 1-November 15	2
9 – South Cascades West	466, 485, 503, 510, 513, 516, 560, 568, 572, 574, 653, 654	August 1-November 15	2
10 – Urban	407, 454, 504, 564, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 684	August 1-November 15	2
11 – Mount St. Helens	505, 520, 524, 550, 554, 556, 667	August 1-November 15	2
12 – Olympic Peninsula East	603, 607, 618, 621, 636, 638	August 1-November 15	2
13 – Olympic Peninsula West	601, 602, 612, 615, 642, 648, 651	August 1-November 15	2
14 – Willapa Hills	501, 506, 530, 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 699	August 15-November 15	1

Identification of Grizzly and Black Bear

Grizzlies are protected under both federal and state law and may not be shot or killed.Be sure of identification if you are hunting black bear.

A mandatory bear identification test is required prior to hunting in the GMUs listed in the box to the right. Learn more on the WDFW Bear Identification Program page.

Bear identification guide showing key differences between black bears and grizzly bears, including body shape, claws, tracks, and shoulder hump for accurate wildlife identification.

Mandatory Bear Identification test:

Hunters that choose to hunt in GMUs 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 203, 204, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 242-244, 418, 426, 437, or 450 must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test, and must score 80% or higher and carry proof that they have passed the WDFW test or an equivalent test from another state.

USFS Food Storage Restrictions

U.S. Forest Service (USDA) logo with a green shield and pine tree, representing federal forest management and public lands stewardship.

The Colville, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests have food storage orders in effect to reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflicts. Processing and storage of harvested wildlife must comply with National Forest regulations. Please refer to the individual forest websites for specific requirements.

Mandatory Submission of Bear Teeth Statewide

Per RCW 77.15.280 and WAC 220-415-090, ALL successful bear hunters MUST submit the complete, unbroken root of the 1st premolar tooth from their harvest. There are 4 premolars, one behind each canine; but if none are available, a canine can be used. Teeth should be sent using WDFW's pre-paid and self-addressed mortality envelope which can be obtained at any WDFW office or by calling your local regional office.

Successful hunters, please submit the required tooth from your harvest by December 1, 2026.

WDFW uses teeth to determine the accurate age of harvested bears. Hunters can check the age of their harvested bear on the WDFW tooth lookup page.

Teeth are aged by an external laboratory and the turnaround time for age results can be up to 6 months after the close of the fall big game hunting season.

Diagram of a bear skull highlighting the first premolar and canine teeth, with an inset showing tooth crown and root structure. — Bear tooth diagram illustrating the location of the first premolar and canine in the skull, along with crown and root anatomy used for age and identification.

It Is Illegal To Shoot A Cub Or A Female With Cubs

Per WAC 220-415-090, hunters cannot shoot or possess cubs or females accompanied by cubs, which are described as less than 1 year old (weighing 30-50 lbs). BE VIGILANT. Cubs may not always be visible, so please be patient and identify whether the bear is male or female. If female, watch for cubs before shooting.

Follow this link to view a video to aid in identifying the sex of black bears on the WDFW black bear species page.

Where to Shoot a Bear

The placement of a hunter’s shot is critical in being able to harvest a bear and reduce the potential for wounding loss or injury. Due to a bear’s mass, the ideal shot placement is broadside with the shot being placed just behind the upper arm of the bear as the bear is taking a forward step.

Illustration of a black bear broadside shot placement with a target area marked behind the shoulder for ethical hunting. — Black bear shot placement diagram showing the ideal broadside target zone behind the shoulder for a clean and ethical harvest.