Bear Hunting

Bear Hunting Regulations

2022 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 25, 2022. For those portions of zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a, and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins October 8, 2022, and extends through December 25, 2022.

General bear season closes on December 25, 2022, 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 is now closed. The reported harvest as of March 30 is: 1267

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

2022 Archery Season

Archery bear season in all bear zones opens August 20, 2022, and runs through September 11, 2022.

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)

Mammal Hunting

Regulations for taking big and small game mammals, furbearers and nongame

2022-2023 Mammal Hunting BOOKLET (PDF)(opens in new tab)
(effective through June 2023) includes regulations for: hunting small and big game mammals; trapping furbearers (fox, badger, beaver and raccoon, etc.); hunting nongame animals (bobcat, coyote, weasel, etc.)
2022 Big Game Hunting Digest
includes: hunt seasons, tag quotas and drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep; bear and wild pig hunting; other related hunting regulations
Mammal Hunting Regulations (HTML)(opens in new tab)

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

Black Bear Tooth Age Data

Hunters are required to bring bears that have been killed to CDFW for tag validation as well the removal of a premolar tooth from the bear. The premolar tooth is used to determine a bear’s age and thus develop more precise harvest data information and how to manage sustainable and healthy bear populations in California.

Annual Take Data

Hunter harvest data, such as number, age structure, and sex ratio of black bears taken each year, helps the Department monitor and manage the bear population. Annually, the data are compared to previous years to determine trends that may require adjustments to the hunting program. In 1917, California black bears were classified as furbearers with no restrictions on how, when or number of animals taken. Since 1948, California black bears have been classified as game animals with an established hunting season.

Annual Black Bear Take Reports
2020 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2019 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2018 Bear Take Report (PDF)
2017 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2016 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2015 Bear Take Report (PDF)
2014 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2013 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2012 Bear Take Report (PDF)
2011 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2010 Bear Take Report (PDF)	2009 Bear Take Report (PDF)
2008 Bear Take Report (PDF)