Written by Justin Park|
Last updated
Spring is (almost) officially here, and while many hunters will start their 2026 hunting season by chasing turkeys, there’s a big game hunt that often gets overlooked: spring black bear.
Many states skip spring bear season, but there are 8 U.S. states with black bear hunts available between April and June: Utah, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, and Wyoming.
You’ll notice that all of these states (besides Alaska) are in the West, so spring bear might involve a plane ride for some hunters. Many of these states have over-the-counter bear tags for both residents and non-residents. Read on for an overview of the basics of each state’s spring bear hunts.
While most Western states have plenty of public land for spring bear hunting, utilizing private land leased through HLRBO is a great way to avoid crowds and bait site competition in states that allow it.
Why Don’t Some States Allow Spring Bear Hunting?
In 2007, 17 states had spring bear hunts, but today only 8 of the 41 states with black bear populations have spring bear hunts. Washington was the most recent state to cancel their hunt, citing public and environmental group concerns over orphaning cubs when female black bears are killed.
Wildlife biologists generally support post-hibernation bear hunting as an effective management tool, however, and most bans are the result of political pressure rather than scientific or fair chase concerns. In my home state of Colorado, the spring bear hunt was canceled for good in 1992 by a voter referendum put to the people by bear hunting opponents disappointed that Colorado wildlife biologists again endorsed spring bear hunting.
While orphaning cubs is a potential issue with bear hunting at any time of year, most states already have regulations prohibiting the taking of bears with cubs and hunters are expected to observe target bears long enough to determine that no cubs are present. Orphaning cubs is no greater a concern in May than fall seasons, and is arguably less likely in spring when sows and cubs emerge from hibernation later than boars (male bears).
Ultimately, these bear hunts have fallen victim to politicization of wildlife management and the fact that bear hunting in general receives less public support than other forms of hunting. This is often due to a perception that bears are hunted “for sport” rather than for meat, which earns much greater support as a rationale from non-hunters.
The Origins Foundation has an excellent defense of spring bear hunting which argues that not only are these hunts not a danger to bears, but may be the main reason for the dramatic recovery of the species in the U.S.
Spring bear hunting opponents claim cubs are more at risk of being orphaned by hunters in spring.
Where to Hunt Black Bears This Spring
Alaska: Non-residents are required to hunt with a guide, so unless you live in the Last Frontier State, spring bear hunting can be a pricey proposition between travel, transport, and guide fees.
Arizona: This high-desert state has a strong black bear population and over-the-counter tags. Baiting and hounds are prohibited, so the playing field is more level for walk-in hunters.
Idaho: Idaho offers a wide variety of spring bear opportunities with both limited and OTC tags. Some areas allow baiting and/or hounds.
Montana: When the snow melts in Montana's mountains, large numbers of black bears come out to feed on early vegetative growth. No baiting or hounds allowed, making this an attractive state for spot-and-stalk hunters.
New Mexico: Spot and stalk hunting only. No OTC tags in the spring. Apply for these limited bear tags in February.
Oregon: Another large Western state with a large black bear population. OTC and limited tags are available for spot-and-stalk hunting.
Utah: Utah’s mountainous areas have strong bear populations and some large boars. Restrictions on baiting and/or hounds exist in certain areas.
Wyoming: The mountains of Wyoming provide challenging hunts, but baiting is allowed in most areas which can hamper opportunities for out-of-state spot-and-stalk hunters without a bait-setting outfitter.
How to Hunt Spring Black Bears on Private Land
Securing a private land hunting lease can be a highly effective way to target black bears. Because the Western states with spring bear hunts have high percentages of public land, many hunters try their luck in National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and other government-managed lands.
In states that allow hunting bears over bait, however, it can be challenging to find and target bruins away from well-established bait sites. In states such as Wyoming where baiting is broadly allowed on public land with registration, hunting success is often dependent on a consistent baiting strategy.
Private land access provides bear hunters with an opportunity to secure exclusive baiting rights to an area to get higher-quality opportunities at a spring black bear. In many states, bait sites on private land don’t require registration or reporting. Even in states that don’t allow baiting, private land provides exclusive access for spot and stalk hunts, even in popular hunting units.
To find a hunting lease in bear country, search HLRBO listings by state and/or county from the HLRBO homepage.
Justin Park is a Colorado-based writer, editor, and avid hunter with a passion for the outdoors. He contributes to leading publications such as GearJunkie, Popular Mechanics, Powder, and Men's Journal, and serves as Editor of Wild Snow. Park is deeply involved in conservation and recreation advocacy, serving as Chapter Chair of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) in Summit County. He also represents RMEF on the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, focused on proactively addressing land use conflicts.