Black Bear Hunters Must Keep The Meat

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Under Montana law, bear meat, or the meat from any other big game animal, can not be wasted, thrown away, left in the field or allowed in any other way to become unfit for human consumption.  

The fall black bear hunting season opened Sept. 15 in most areas of Montana. Hunters should check the regulations for exceptions.

Bear hunters ares also prohibited from abandoning in the field the head or hide of a harvested black bear.

The regulation applies, unless the meat is determined by testing to contain trichinella.  Trichinella is a parasitic disease found in 15 percent of Montana’s black bears.   Bear meat must be kept in an edible condition until test results are obtained.

An optional, free-of-charge testing service for trichinella is offered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Information on trichinella and instructions on how to submit samples for testing are available at all FWP offices.  Hunters will be notified of the results by mail.