California has approved a new amendment allowing bear hunters to obtain two black bear tags annually, responding to a growing bear population and missed harvest quotas, enhancing wildlife management efforts.

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed the Spring Black Bear season in Management Unit 411 effective April 23, 2026, transitioning to a hound training season starting April 24, 2026.

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission will close hunting for all black bears in Unit 510 after sunset on April 22, 2026. Hound training season will start April 23, 2026.

Montana's Black Bear Management Unit 700 will prohibit black bear hunting with hounds after sunset on April 19, 2026, reopening for hound training on April 20, 2026.