
•	Standardize season dates.
•	Clarify language associated with spring bear check-in.
•	Reduce permit numbers on the Long Beach hunt by two.
•	Remove Weyerhaeuser-Columbia timber lands from the North Skagit hunt area because they are not allowing access.

It is unlawful to fail to comply with the provisions of this section. A violation of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.410, 77.15.245, or 77.15.280, depending on the circumstances of the violation.

Who May Apply: Anyone with a valid Washington big game license, which includes black bear as a species option.

Hunt Areas, Permit Levels, and Season Dates for Each License Year:

Hunt Name	Hunt Area	Permits	Season Dates
Sherman	GMU 101 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	50	April ((1))15 - June 15
Kelly Hill	GMU 105 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	50	April ((1))15 - June 15
Douglas	GMU 108 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	40	April ((1))15 - June 15
Aladdin	GMU 111 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	50	April ((1))15 - June 15
49 Degrees North	GMU 117 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	100	April ((1))15 - June 15
Huckleberry	GMU 121	100	April ((1))15 - June 15
Blue Creek	GMU 154	18	April 15 - June 15
Dayton	GMU 162	18	April 15 - June 15
Tucannon	GMU 166	5	April 15 - June 15
Wenaha	GMU 169	60	April 15 - June 15
Mt. View	GMU 172	24	April 15 - June 15
Lick Creek	GMU 175	18	April 15 - June 15
Peola	GMU 178	5	April 15 - June 15
Couse	GMU 181	5	April 15 - June 15
Grande Ronde	GMU 186	5	April 15 - June 15
Kitsap	GMU 627	5	April 15 - ((May 31))June 15
Mason	GMU 633	5	April 15 - ((May 31))June 15
Bear River	GMU 681	20	April 15 - ((May 31))June 15
Long Beach	GMU 684	((12))10	April 15 - ((May 31))June 15
North Skagit	That portion of GMU 418 that is designated as the hunt area by DNR, Sierra Pacific, ((Weyerhaeuser-Columbia Timber Lands,)) and Grandy Lake Timber company. Note: Mandatory bear identification test required.	30	April 15 - June 15
Copalis	GMU 642, 648, and 638 (excluding U.S. Forest Service lands).	50	April 15 - June 15

Bag Limit: One black bear per black bear special permit season.

License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option, is required to apply for a spring black bear special permit. One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option.

Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear. The use of dogs or bait to hunt black bear is prohibited statewide.

Other Requirements: Hunters that are selected to hunt in GMUs located in grizzly bear recovery areas, as identified by the department, must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test with a passing score (80% or higher) or carry proof that they have passed an equivalent test from another state. The WDFW test may be taken repeatedly until a passing score is achieved. All hunters must carry proof of passing a bear identification test while hunting in the GMUs identified by the department.

Harvest Check, Submitting Biological Samples and Bear Teeth: All successful bear hunters must validate (notch) their bear tag consistent with WAC 220-413-020, notify the department within 72 hours of kill (excluding legal state holidays), provide the hunter's name, date and location of kill, and sex of animal. The unfrozen raw pelt, with evidence of sex attached, and the first premolar must be presented to an authorized department employee for ((sealing))inspection within 5 days of notification of kill. All permit hunters must comply with harvest reporting and submission of biological samples as described above. Failure to comply with the submission of biological samples is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 77.15.280.