Season hub
Bear Season by State
Black bear seasons vary widely. Some states hunt in spring and fall, others in fall only, and many manage by zone or harvest quota, closing a zone early once its quota is met.
Quick answer
As of October 5, 2026, at least one bear season is open in 22 of the 28 states with listed bear dates.
Next listed openers: Wisconsin (Oct 7, 2026), Georgia (Oct 8, 2026), California (Oct 10, 2026), and New York (Oct 10, 2026).
Dates come from each state's wildlife agency. Open a state for every zone, weapon season, and the agency source.
| State | Key dates | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Bear | Sep 1- | Open | Alaska ADF&G |
| Arizona Bear | Aug 7- | Open | Arizona Game & Fish Dept. |
| Arkansas Bear | Sep 9- | Open | Arkansas Game & Fish Commission |
| California Bear | Oct 10- | Upcoming | California CDFW |
| Colorado Bear | Sep 2- | Open | Colorado Parks & Wildlife |
| Georgia Bear | Sep 12- | Open | Georgia DNR Wildlife |
| Idaho Bear | Aug 30- | Open | Idaho Fish & Game |
| Kentucky Bear | Oct 19- | Upcoming | Kentucky KDFWR |
| Maine Bear | Aug 31- | Open | Maine DIFW |
| Maryland Bear | Oct 26- | Upcoming | Maryland DNR |
| Massachusetts Bear | Sep 7- | Open | Massachusetts DFW |
| Michigan Bear | Sep 9- | Open | Michigan DNR |
| Minnesota Bear | Sep 1- | Open | Minnesota DNR |
| Missouri Bear | Oct 17- | Upcoming | Missouri MDC |
| Montana Bear | Sep 15- | Open | Montana FWP |
| New Hampshire Bear | opens Sep 1, 2026Firearm Black Bear | Closed | New Hampshire Fish & Game |
| New Jersey Bear | Oct 12- | Upcoming | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife |
| New Mexico Bear | Sep 25- | Open | New Mexico NMDGF |
| New York Bear | Sep 19- | Open | New York DEC |
| North Carolina Bear | Oct 3- | Open | NC Wildlife Resources Commission |
| Oklahoma Bear | Oct 1- | Open | Oklahoma ODWC |
| Oregon Bear | Aug 1- | Open | Oregon ODFW |
| Pennsylvania Bear | Sep 19- | Open | Pennsylvania Game Commission |
| Tennessee Bear | Sep 26- | Open | Tennessee TWRA |
| Vermont Bear | Sep 1- | Open | Vermont Fish & Wildlife |
| West Virginia Bear | Sep 26- | Open | West Virginia DNR |
| Wisconsin Bear | Sep 9- | Open | Wisconsin DNR |
| Wyoming Bear | Aug 1- | Open | Wyoming Game & Fish |
A state that is not listed either has no bear season or has not been added from its agency source yet.
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Bear Season FAQ
Which states have bear season open right now?
As of October 5, 2026, at least one bear season is open in 22 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Open seasons can be limited to a weapon type, zone, or permit, so check the state page before you go.
Which bear seasons open next?
The next listed bear openers are Wisconsin (Oct 7, 2026), Georgia (Oct 8, 2026), California (Oct 10, 2026), New York (Oct 10, 2026), Tennessee (Oct 10, 2026), and New Jersey (Oct 12, 2026). Many states open different zones and weapon seasons on different dates; each state page lists every one.
Which states have a bear season?
HuntingSeason.com currently lists bear season dates for 28 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A state that is not listed either has no bear season or has not been added from its agency source yet.
Where do these bear season dates come from?
Every date is taken from the state wildlife agency that sets the season. Each state page links its agency source and shows when it was last verified. Always confirm zone, tag, and permit rules with the agency before hunting.
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