Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Idaho black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon, or blond. Coat color is not sufficient to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly. Before planning a hunt, learn species identification and review the unit-specific season, permitted methods, and harvest-check requirements.
Units to Research
10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 20A, 21 +9 more
Tag Types
Black Bear Tag, Controlled Hunt Tag
Season Overview
Black bear seasons and permitted methods vary by unit and season. Check the current IDFG bear tables for dates, hound re...
Habitat & Range
Black bears use forested habitats from the Panhandle to the central mountains. Berry-producing areas and slopes with spring green-up can provide scouting context. Check current sign and species identification; a food source does not guarantee a bear's presence.
Season Details
Black bear seasons and permitted methods vary by unit and season. Check the current IDFG bear tables for dates, hound restrictions, and any baiting permit requirements. Successful hunters must complete the IDFG in-person harvest check within 10 days of the kill, presenting the skull and hide with evidence of sex attached.
View Official IDFG RegulationsKey Dates & Costs
Exact season windows and tag costs vary by zone and tag type. Verify current dates and resident/non-resident fees directly with IDFG before purchasing.
Hunting Tips
- 1Glass south-facing slides in spring for bears feeding on early green-up
- 2Target berry patches in late summer and early fall
- 3Look for current feeding sign rather than assuming a seasonal food source is being used
- 4Use quality optics—you'll cover miles with your eyes before your feet
- 5Bears are most active in the first and last two hours of daylight
Recommended Gear
- 10x42 binoculars and a tripod-mounted spotting scope
- Layering system for variable spring weather
- A hunting firearm and ammunition you can use accurately within your practiced limits
- Pack sized for multi-day backcountry trips
Build Your Black Bear Hunt Plan
- Match the hunt to your tag. Open the current species rules and check the hunt area, dates, animal restrictions and permitted method. A unit appearing in this guide does not mean every tag is valid there.
- Research a unit before picking a route. Use the unit directory to compare published season records, available boundaries and source links. Check the year and coverage of any harvest or draw figures.
- Verify how you will enter and leave. Review land-access planning, current agency travel maps and closures. Public ownership alone does not establish a legal approach route or motorized access.
- Plan the pack-out and reporting. Decide how you will cool and transport meat, communicate and return if conditions change. Check species-specific harvest reporting and inspection requirements before departure; prepare an equipment list for your actual terrain and weather.
Official Sources for This Guide
The links below support the rules discussed here. Review the current agency publication and any emergency changes for the hunt you choose.