Montana Spring Black Bear Season to Open April 15

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season opens April 15. Spring black bear hunters must purchase their licenses on or before April 14. If purchased after April 14, hunters must wait 24 hours before hunting a black bear.

Black bear hunters are limited to one black bear license a year.

All black bear hunters are reminded that they must successfully complete Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ bear identification test before purchasing a black bear license.

Hunters who have already passed the bear identification test do not need to retake it, but FWP encourages black bear hunters to continuously hone their ability to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly.

To take the bear identification test, visit FWP’s bear identification training website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Hunter Education” under the Education tab, then click “Bear Identification Program“.

Complete the training and test, and then present the printed on-line certificate to purchase a license. The training and test is also available on paper, with a mail-in answer card, at FWP regional offices.

The 2013 black bear regulations are available online on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and from most FWP offices and license providers.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

We manage Montana's world-renowned fish, wildlife, and state parks for the enjoyment of our citizens and our visitors.