Black Bear

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Black bear peeking from behind a tree in a Washington forest, highlighting native wildlife in its natural woodland habitat. — A black bear peeks from behind a tree in a Washington forest, showcasing native wildlife and the importance of safe, ethical hunting practices.

Significant changes are red.

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.

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

Fall Black Bear General Seasons
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

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.

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. 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, 2025.

WDFW uses teeth to determine the accurate age of harvested bears. Hunters can check the age of their harvested bear by visiting 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.

Illustration of a bear tooth used by WDFW to determine the age of harvested bears, highlighting wildlife research and harvest data collection. — Illustration of a bear tooth used by WDFW to estimate the age of harvested bears, supporting wildlife research and informed bear management.

Identification of Grizzly and 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 in some GMUs. See the list below and visit the Bear Identification Program page for more information.

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.

Identification guide comparing black bears and grizzly bears, highlighting differences in physical features, tracks, and key traits for safe wildlife encounters.

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.

To help identify the sex of black bears, watch the instructional video available 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 showing the optimal broadside shot placement on a black bear for ethical hunting, with target area marked on the vital zone. — Illustration of a black bear showing ideal broadside shot placement, highlighting ethical and effective targeting for responsible hunting.

BearWise Washington

YOU can help keep bears wild by being BearWise at your home or while camping, hunting, fishing or hiking.

Never feed or approach bears
Keep garbage bins indoors until trash day and remove bird feeders when bears are active (Apr-Nov)
Keep chickens and other small livestock protected in proper, covered, enclosures

Learn more about living responsibly with black bears by visiting the BearWise website.