WSR 25-09-098
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-16B—Filed April 18, 2025, 11:53 a.m., effective May 19, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The purpose of the amendments to WAC 220-415-090 is to specify the black bear hunting season dates and bag limits for each of the 14 black bear management units. Furthermore, the rule changes specify where it is illegal to harvest black bear in Washington state. The amendments make it unlawful to kill cubs (less than one year old) and females with cubs. The amendments include the list of game management units where the bear ID test is required. Lastly, the amendments specify that mandatory bear tooth samples must be submitted to the department of fish and wildlife by December 1.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-090.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.08.030, 77.12.047, 77.15.245, 77.15.280, and 77.15.410.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-04-100 on February 4, 2025.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 9, 2025.
Barbara Baker
Commission Chair
RDS-6086.7
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-14-022, filed 6/28/21, effective 7/29/21)
WAC 220-415-090Fall 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.
((Fall black bear season dates: August 1 to November 15.
Bag Limit: Two (2) black bear per annual hunting season.))
Black Bear Management Unit (BBMU)
Hunt Area (GMU)
Season Dates
Bag Limit
1 – Northeast
105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124
August 1 – November 15
2
2 – Columbia Basin
127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381
August 1 – November 15
2
3 – Southeast
145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186
August 1 – November 15
2
4 – Okanogan Highlands
101, 204
August 1 – November 15
2
5 – Okanogan
203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243
August 15 – November 15
1
6 – Central Cascades East
244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251, 328, 329, 330, 334, 335
August 1 – November 15
2
7 – South Cascades East
336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578
August 1 – November 15
2
8 – North Cascades West
418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 460
August 1 – November 15
2
9 – South Cascades West
466, 485, 503, 510, 513, 516, 560, 568, 572, 574, 653, 654
August 1 – November 15
2
10 – Urban
407, 454, 504, 564, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 684
August 1 – November 15
2
11 – Mount St. Helens
505, 520, 524, 550, 554, 556, 667
August 1 – November 15
2
12 – Olympic Peninsula East
603, 607, 618, 621, 636, 638
August 1 – November 15
2
13 – Olympic Peninsula West
601, 602, 612, 615, 642, 648, 651
August 1 – November 15
2
14 – Willapa Hills
501, 506, 530, 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 699
August 15 – November 15
1
Area Restrictions: GMUs 157, 410-417, 419-424, 490, ((and)) 522, and 655 are closed to fall bear hunting. A special ((deer)) permit to hunt deer or elk in GMU 485 is 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. It is unlawful to kill or possess a cub (less than one year old) or a female bear accompanied by cub(s).
((Other))Area Requirements: Hunters that choose to hunt black bear in GMUs ((located in grizzly bear recovery areas as identified by the department))101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 203, 204, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 242, 243, 244, 418, 426, 437, and 450 must successfully complete the annual WDFW online bear identification test with a passing score (80% or higher) and carry proof of successful completion or carry proof that they have passed an equivalent test from another state while hunting black bear in those GMUs. 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 by December 1st of the current hunt season. Failure to comply with the submission of biological samples is a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 77.15.280.