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Overview
Hunting

Bear Seasons and Limits

2023 Bear Zone Map

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Sept. 13-Nov. 30, 2023
Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear):
Modern Gun: Nov. 11-30, 2023 (Zone 1 closes earlier if quota is reached)

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Hunters must call 833-345-0398 the evening before the hunt to check the harvest number. The season will end the morning after the quota is reached or Nov. 30, whichever comes first.
Archery quota: 400 bears
Muzzleloader quota: 50 bears
Modern gun quota: 50 bears

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Sept. 13-Nov. 30, 2023
Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear):
Modern Gun: Nov. 11-30, 2023

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Bear Zone 2 does not have a quota.

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Closed.
Muzzleloader: Closed.
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Closed.
Modern Gun: Dec. 9-15, 2023 (Zone 3 closes earlier if quota is reached)

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Hunters must call 833-345-0398 the evening before the hunt to check the harvest number. The season will end the morning after the quota is reached or Dec. 15, whichever comes first.
Modern gun quota: 5 bears

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Closed.
Muzzleloader: Closed.
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Closed.
Modern Gun: Dec. 9-15, 2023 (Zone 4 closes earlier if quota is reached)

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Hunters must call 833-345-0398 the evening before the hunt to check the harvest number. The season will end the morning after the quota is reached or Dec. 15, whichever comes first.
Modern gun quota: 25 bears

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Closed.
Muzzleloader: Closed.
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Closed.
Modern Gun: Nov. 25-Dec. 3, 2023 (Zone 5 closes earlier if quota is reached)

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Hunters must call 833-345-0398 the evening before the hunt to check the harvest number. The season will end the morning after the quota is reached or Dec. 3, whichever comes first.
Modern gun quota: 10 bears

2023 Bear Season Dates

Archery: Closed.
Muzzleloader: Closed.
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Closed.
Modern Gun: Nov. 18-Dec. 3, 2023 (Zone 5A closes earlier if quota is reached)

Statewide Bag Limit
One bear, either sex, by any method.

Bear Zone Quota
Hunters must call 833-345-0398 the evening before the hunt to check the harvest number. The season will end the morning after the quota is reached or Dec. 3, whichever comes first.
Modern gun quota: 5 bears

All Remaining Bear Zones Closed to Hunting (Zones 6 and 7)