Bear season to open April 15

Black bear hunting season is set to open on April 15 in FWP Region 1 that includes Sanders County. Spring black bear hunters must purchase their licenses before April 14.

If the license is purchased after this date, hunters must wait 24 hours before hunting a black bear. This is a change from last year when hunters had to wait five days before hunting a bear.

Hunters must pass the bear identification test before purchasing a license and are limited to one black bear license a year. Individuals who have passed the test in previous years are exempt but are encouraged by FWP to continue to develop the ability to distinguish between black and grizzly bears.

According to FWP Region 1 Game Warden Tom Chianelli, the season will last from April 15 through May 31. Hunters also need to take their time and be vigilant when deciding whether to take a bear.

“You need to be certain they don’t have cubs or young bears with them. It is illegal to shoot a bear that has cubs. Hunters need to slow down and make sure they are alone,” said Chianelli.

According to Chianelli, hunters who successfully take down a bear are required to notify FWP within five days of the kill.

To take the bear identification test, hunters can visit the FWP website at www.fwp.mt.gov, click on hunter education under the education tab and then click on Bear Identification Program.

After completion of the training and test, the printed on-line certificate must be presented before a license will be issued. A paper version of the test is available at any FWP regional office.

Regulations regarding the 2013 black bear spring hunting season are available at the FWP website at www.fwp.mt.gov and from most FWP offices and license providers.