Spring black bear hunting season opens April 15

HELENA — The spring black bear hunting season starts April 15.

Here are some reminders:

• There is a 48-hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests.

• Mandatory inspection of black bear harvests has changed.
• It is lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. Check the regulations.

It is unlawful to harvest/take black bear cubs. Cubs are defined as bears less than one year old. It also is unlawful to harvest/take a female black bear with cubs.

It's important to know the difference between grizzly bears and black bears. Black bear hunters in Montana are required to pass the Bear Identification test to obtain a black bear license. Montana's Bear Identification Program is intended to prevent the killing of grizzly bears as a result of mistaken identity by hunters.

For more information on black bear hunting, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/black-bear.