Here are some basics for hunting black bear in California during the 2015-2016 season, including information about seasons, license and tags, guides and outfitters, firearms, hunting restrictions, hunting areas, shooting hours, tagging and reporting, animal waste, skulls, personal use, donations, and year-end reports. Click here for a detailed summary, including hunting areas, maps, tips, and regulations.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) can close the entire season after 1,700 bears have been harvested. Click here for daily reports or call (888) 277-6398. (Less than 1,425 bears were killed in 2014.)
General Season
The general season* opens concurrently with deer seasons except that Zones X1 – X7b open on October 10, 2015.
The general season closes on December 27, 2015.
* Means all authorized methods of take (see “Firearms” below).
Archery Season
The bear archery season is from August 15 – September 7, 2015 (click here for archery-specific rules and regulations).
Prior to hunting, you need a hunting license and bear tag from the CDFW. You must be at least twelve (12) years old to purchase a bear tag. Buy one online or from a CDFW license office or agent. Have them on you while hunting. You can only purchase or possess one tag a year.
If using a professional guide, the guide must give you his or her license number and describe the services to be rendered. Click here for more information about guides and outfitters.
In general, you can use a bow and arrow, muzzleloader, pistol, revolver, or rifle to hunt bear in California (click here for additional methods).
In general, you’re NOT allowed to hunt bear with:
- Bait or within 400 yards of a baited area or garbage dump;
- Crossbows without a Disabled Archer’s Permit;
- Dogs;
- Lead ammo in the California Condor Range, a wildlife area, or an ecological reserve;
- Lights (artificial or infrared);
- Location devices (computer-assisted or remotely controlled);
- Motor vehicles or aircraft; or
- Traps.
Click here for more information, including any exceptions.
There are excellent opportunities to hunt black bear on federal land (wilderness areas, national forests, etc.), State land (wildlife areas, forests, etc.), and private land (CDFW SHARE program). Click here for more information.
In general, shooting hours for black bear are from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. Click here for any exceptions, including attacks and depredation permits.
Warning shots!!! You can only buy or possess one bear tag per year. It’s only good for one male black bear. Don’t hunt any other species of bear, a female (sow), or cub.
Immediately after killing a bear, complete the tag and attach it to bear’s ear. Keep it’s jaw open with a stick or other object (make sure it’s graveyard dead first). If you used a guide, record his or her license number on the tag.
Immediately have your tag countersigned (i.e. validated) by making an appointment with the closest CDFW office. (If it’s closed, call the next business day.) At the appointment, CDFW will also extract a premolar tooth for examination by wildlife biologists. It gives them information necessary for bear management, like the bear’s age (which they’ll let you know later).
After the tag is countersigned, immediately send the report card portion to the CDFW. Keep the bear skin, including the tagged ear, for at least fifteen (15) days after the season ends.
Click here for more information.
Don’t leave any edible parts of the bear in the field; otherwise, it’s considered waste, which is a violation in California.
You must give your bear skull to the CDFW within ten (10) days of killing the bear-damaged or not. They’ll return any part that’s not used for scientific research.
You can tan or use your bear skin, hide, meat, teeth, claws, and other parts. Warning shot!!! It’s illegal to buy or sell bear or bear parts.
Did you know you can donate the skin, hide, teeth, claws, or other parts to veterans’ organizations and service committees for use by veterans for the purpose of rehabilitation?
If you purchased a tag and didn’t kill a bear, return the report card by February 1st of the current license year-even if you didn’t hunt.
