Bear regulations released

SANDERS COUNTY – With black bear season well underway in Sanders County, spring black bear hunters are urged by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to follow key regulations throughout the hunting season.

Bruce Sterling Wildlife Biologist for FWP Region 1, stated it was very important black bear hunters make a positive identification on the species before shooting, to ensure they are not targeting a grizzly bear, a protected species.

Sterling added prospective bear hunters are required to pass the “Black Bear Identification Test,” on the FWP’s website before they are permitted to purchase a black bear license.

The biologist also made it clear it is illegal to harvest black bear cubs (bears less than one year old) and it is also illegal to harvest a sow, female black bear, with cubs.

“Hunters need to make sure they aren’t harassing a female bear with cubs. Sometimes that means observing the animal for quite a while,” Sterling said.

Sterling said it can be difficult to spot the cubs, especially in the spring when the baby bears are quite small.

He stressed observations was key to following the key regulations in place during black bear season in the spring.

“As a bear hunter you need to be conscious that the animal is not a sow with cubs,” Sterling said.

He added black bears went into their dens in autumn in good condition.

The healthy conditions of black bears at the beginning of winter was partially due to the bumper crop of huckleberries in the region last season, and this could result in a high rate of multiple births for the bears, increasing a hunter’s odds of running into cubs this spring.

The spring black bear season commenced on Wednesday, April 15 and continues through June 15, though some bear management areas end their season as early as May 31.

If a black bear is harvested are required to report the harvest within five days of taking the animal, or within five days of arriving at the trailhead in backcountry areas.

Successful hunters must also present to a FWP official the complete bear hide and skull for inspection and aging purposes.

FWP urges hunters to pick up a copy of the 2015 black bear hunting regulations and review the particulars before heading out into the field for hunting trips.