Bear Hunting

Bear Hunting Regulations

2021 General Season

General bear season opens concurrently with general deer season in the A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 deer hunting zones and extends through December 26, 2021. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a, and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins October 9, 2021, and extends through December 26, 2021.

General bear season closes on December 26, 2021, or earlier, if the Department determines that 1,700 bears have been reported taken. This includes bears harvested during the archery season.

The 2021 bear season reported harvest as of November 18 is: 950

A weekly bear harvest update is also available by calling (888) 277-6398 (toll-free).

2021 Archery Season

Archery bear season in all bear zones opens August 21, 2021, and runs through September 12, 2021.

Bag and Possession Limit

One adult bear per hunting license year. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken.

Additional Regulations - Bear Tag Flyer (PDF)

License Requirements

• A CA hunting license and bear tag are required for hunting bear
• If a bear is taken, the bear tag must be validated by a CDFW employee before transporting the bear, except for the purpose of taking it to the nearest CDFW employee authorized to validate the bear tag. If CDFW offices are closed, the bear tag shall be validated within one business day of transporting the bear from the point where taken. The skull must be presented to CDFW within 10 days (see tag validation details (opens in new tab))
• Bear tags must be returned, regardless of success

Purchase licenses and tags ONLINE or at a local AGENT.

License and Tag Fees

Valid JULY 1, 2021 through JUNE 30, 2022

Hunting Licenses	Fee	Description
Resident Hunting License	$52.66	Required for any resident 18 years of age or older who takes birds or mammals
Nonresident Hunting License	$183.60	Required for any nonresident 18 years of age or older who takes birds or mammals.
Junior Hunting License	$14.04	Required for any resident or nonresident less than 18 years of age who takes birds or mammals. To qualify, hunter must be less than 18 years of age at the beginning of the license year (July 1).

Tags	Fee	Description
Resident Bear Tag	$51.02	Resident and nonresident licensed hunters 12 years of age or older at the time of application may purchase one bear tag per license year. Tags are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Nonresident Bear Tag	$325.40

Publications and Forms

• Big Game Hunting Digest
  Summary of upcoming hunting seasons, regulations, license and tag requirements
• Declaration for Entry
  for bringing harvested bear into California