A hunter may purchase only one black bear license over the counter per year.
Prerequisite
Hunters must show proof of having passed a free bear identification test before purchasing a black bear license.
Spring Season
Fees:
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Resident: $19
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Nonresident: $350
Fall Season
Fees:
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Resident: $19
-
Nonresident: $350
Bow and Arrow (Archery)
Details: A bow and arrow license, plus the proper hunting license is required during black bear archery-only season or to archery hunt black bear in an Arch-Equip only area or hunting district.
Fees:
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Resident: $10
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Nonresident: $10
Resident Hound Training License
Details: This license entitles the license holder to use a dog or dogs to aid in chasing black bears in any portion of the state open to hound hunting during the hound training season from May 26 – June 15. Hound hunting and training is prohibited in occupied grizzly bear habitat in BMUs 100, 101, 103, 104, 110, 120, 121, 122, 123, 130, 140, 141, 150, 170, that portion of 200 that includes the Ninemile watershed north of I-90, 216 east of the Granite/Ravalli county line, 280, 290, 300 west of I-15, 301 west of I-15 and HWY 69, 309, 317, 341, 400 north and west of I-15/Hwy 87 between Helena and Fort Benton, west of Hwy 223 between Fort Benton and Hwy 2 at Chester, south of Hwy 2 between Chester and I-15 at Shelby, and west of I-15 between Shelby and the Canadian border, 510 West of Hwy 310, 520. The hound training license is available over the counter to resident Conservation License holders 12 years of age or older or who will turn 12 before or during the season for which the license is issued.
Fees:
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Resident-only: $5
Non-resident Hound License
Details: The 2021 Legislature expanded the ability for the commission to authorize hound hunting, and nonresidents are now allowed to pursue black bears with hounds during hunting seasons or hound-training seasons if they obtain a Class D-4 Nonresident Hound License. To apply for a Nonresident Hound license, a nonresident must already hold a black bear license. The holder of a Nonresident Class D-4 Black Bear Hound License may not assist another person in the pursuit of a black bear for harvest. Any area restrictions on the Black Bear License and the Nonresident Black Bear Hound License both apply as well as quota restrictions in quota areas. The deadline to apply is March 25.
Fees:
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$250
