HELENA, MT — The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has officially announced the closure of the spring black bear hunting season in Black Bear Management Unit (BMU) 700 for hunters operating without hounds.
The closure will officially go into effect one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Why is the BMU Closing?
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) closely monitors the harvest quotas for black bears across individual management units to ensure healthy population levels. When a specific BMU approaches or meets its predetermined harvest quota—or its sub-quota for female bears (sows)—the commission triggers a closure to prevent overharvesting.
Hunters are always reminded to check the status of their intended BMU daily before heading out into the field, as closures can happen rapidly once quotas are met.
Closure Details at a Glance
| Regulation Detail | Current Status |
| Management Unit | BMU 700 (Without Hounds) |
| Species Affected | All Black Bear |
| Closure Date | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| Exact Time | 30 minutes after sunset |
Note to Hunters: This specific closure applies to those hunting without hounds in BMU 700. If you hold licenses or permits for adjacent units or different hunting methods, please verify those specific quotas and regulations on the official Montana FWP website.
What Hunters Need to Do Next
- Cease Hunting: Any hunting activity for black bears within BMU 700 (without hounds) must stop promptly at the designated time this Saturday evening.
- Report Harvests: If you successfully harvested a bear in this unit prior to the closure, remember that you are required to report it to the FWP harvest line within the mandatory reporting window.
- Check Other Units: For those looking to continue their spring season, several other BMUs across Montana may still remain open. Check the Montana FWP Harvest Quota Dashboard or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-711-8727 for real-time status updates before your next trek.