01 / Season structure
When and how.
Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 1, 2026
Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 1, 2026
Sep 15, 2026 to Dec 1, 2026
Confirm tag availability, current regulations, boundaries, legal methods, ammunition rules, closures, and access before you act. The agency source and your issued tag control.
02 / Sportsman’s Illustrated notes
What to solve before opening day.
A hunt boundary does not establish legal access. Confirm ownership, entry, closures, road conditions, and property-specific rules with the current land manager.
Complete the required black bear course, then call the harvest hotline before every outing because a unit group can close before December 1.
More moving parts, usually because the draw, timing, or season structure requires earlier decisions.
03 / Regulatory record
Read the official material.
These sources establish the hunt record above. They can be updated after our verification date.