Washington Bear Season 2026
Fall General Season Black Bear (BBMU 7 South Cascades East: GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578) runs Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026. Every listed bear season for Washington is below, with zones and notes where the agency gives them.
Quick answer
Washington's 2026 fall General Season Black Bear (BBMU 7 South Cascades East: GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578) runs Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026.
Fall General Season Black Bear (BBMU 5 Okanogan: GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243) runs Aug 15-Nov 15, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Washington WDFW.
Bear
14 listed rowsBlack Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 7 South Cascades East: GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Mandatory bear identification test required in GMUs 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121.
Zone: BBMU 1 Northeast: GMUs 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124
Black Bear
Fall General Season
A special deer or elk permit in GMU 485 is required to hunt bear in GMU 485.
Zone: BBMU 9 South Cascades West: GMUs 466, 485, 503, 510, 513, 516, 560, 568, 572, 574, 653, 654
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 13 Olympic Peninsula West: GMUs 601, 602, 612, 615, 642, 648, 651
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Mandatory bear identification test required in GMUs 418, 426, 437, 450.
Zone: BBMU 8 North Cascades West: GMUs 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 460
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 2 Columbia Basin: GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 3 Southeast: GMUs 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 12 Olympic Peninsula East: GMUs 603, 607, 618, 621, 636, 638
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Mandatory bear identification test required in GMU 244.
Zone: BBMU 6 Central Cascades East: GMUs 244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251, 328, 329, 330, 334, 335
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 10 Urban: GMUs 407, 454, 504, 564, 624, 627, 633, 652, 666, 684
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Zone: BBMU 11 Mount St. Helens: GMUs 505, 520, 524, 550, 554, 556, 667
Black Bear
Fall General Season
Mandatory bear identification test required in GMUs 101 and 204.
Zone: BBMU 4 Okanogan Highlands: GMUs 101, 204
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black BearFall General Season · BBMU 5 Okanogan: GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243Mandatory bear identification test required in GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 242, 243. | Open | |
| Black BearFall General Season · BBMU 14 Willapa Hills: GMUs 501, 506, 530, 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 699 | Open |
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Nearby bear seasons
Washington Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in Washington?
Fall General Season Black Bear (BBMU 7 South Cascades East: GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 382, 388, 578) runs Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Washington WDFW.
What are the 2026 bear season dates in Washington?
Washington lists 14 bear season windows: Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); Fall General Season Black Bear (Aug 1-Nov 15, 2026); and more. Always verify against Washington WDFW before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in Washington?
Yes. Washington generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Washington WDFW.