PDFWAC 220-415-090

2019-2020 Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations.

It is unlawful to fail to comply with the provisions below. A violation of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.410, 77.15.245, or 77.15.280.
Black Bear Management Unit
Season
Hunt Area
Coastal
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603, 607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684
Puget Sound
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 407, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 667
North Cascades
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 418, 426-450, 460
South Cascades
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 466, 485, 503, 505, 510-520, 524, 550-574, 653, 654
Okanogan
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 203, 209-243
East Cascades
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-368, 382, 388, 578
Northeastern A
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 101-121, 204
Northeastern B
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 124-130
Blue Mountains
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 145-154, 162-186
Columbia Basin
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260-290, 371-381
Long Island
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2019
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2020
GMU 699
Bag Limit: Two (2) black bear per annual hunting season.
Area Restriction: Special deer permit required to hunt black bear in GMU 485. Hunters that choose 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 or equivalent test from another state and carry proof of successful completion.
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes black bear as a species option, is required to hunt black bear. One black bear transport tag is included with a big game hunting license that has black bear as a species option. A second black bear transport tag must be purchased to take a second bear.
Hunting Method: Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting black bear. The use of hounds and bait to hunt black bear is prohibited statewide.
Other Requirements: Hunters that choose 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.
Submitting Biological Samples and Bear Teeth: Successful bear hunters must comply with harvest reporting and submission of biological samples including the black bear premolar tooth located behind the canine tooth of the upper jaw. Failure to comply with the submission of biological samples is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 77.15.280.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.090, 77.06.130, 77.15.568, 77.08.010, 77.65.510, 88.65.515, and 77.65.520. WSR 19-15-028 (Order 19-148), § 220-415-090, filed 7/10/19, effective 8/10/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.040, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.210, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.570, 77.12.800, 77.15.245, 77.32.007, 77.32.050, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, 77.32.370, and 77.32.530. WSR 18-11-061 (Order 18-76), § 220-415-090, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-415-090, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-066 (Order 15-99), § 232-28-288, filed 5/1/15, effective 6/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-12-006 (Order 12-90), § 232-28-288, filed 5/23/12, effective 6/23/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-28-288, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10.]