Spring Black Bear Hunters Reminded Of Season Closures And That Bear Meat Must Be Used

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Spring black bear hunting season may close anytime a hunting quota or sub-quota is reached in a bear management unit.   Season deadlines, if quotas remain unmet, are May 15 in most bear management units, and late May or June in some others. For season dates in a specific bear management unit check the 2003 Montana Black Bear Hunting Regulations.

Remember that when a hunting quota or sub-quota is reached in a bear management unit, the black bear season for that unit will close within 48 hour’s notice. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be aware of the black bear season status in the unit they are hunting.

Montana regulations prohibit hunters from allowing the meat from bears they harvest to become unfit for human consumption. Like the meat from elk, deer and most other big game animals, bear meat cannot be wasted, thrown away or left in the field. A hunter is also prohibited from abandoning in the field the head or hide of a harvested black bear.