Regional News

Spring black bear special hunt applications due Feb. 28

Feb 25, 2021

Hunters must buy and submit their 2021 spring black bear special hunt applications by midnight on Feb. 28. Hunts will occur in specific areas of western and eastern Washington.

Hunters who submit their applications are entered into a drawing in mid-March for 120 permits in western Washington and 548 permits for hunts east of the Cascade Range.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will notify winners no later than March 31. Applicants can also check the drawing results through the WILD system by logging into their account.

To apply for a permit, hunters must purchase a special hunt application and a 2021 hunting license that includes black bear as a species option. Additionally, hunters must identify their hunt area choice by indicating the number associated with the hunt area. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags, and bear permit applications may be purchased:

Online,
By phone at (866) 246-9453, or
At any license vendor in Washington.

Successful completion of the Black Bear identification test is required for hunting black bear in GMUs 101,105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 203, 204, 209, 215, 418, 426. Hunters can take the test through the WILD system.

Special permit applications may be submitted online or by calling 877-945-3492. Find more information about hunts scheduled on both sides of the state on the WDFW website.

Please be aware that the spring bear rule that governs this hunt is currently being challenged through litigation. If future court decisions result in season closures or delays, WDFW will notify hunters accordingly.