How to Legally Hunt Bear
Bear hunting in the United States requires advanced planning on the part of a hunter. Every state has distinct rules that provide boundaries to the number and type of bears you can hunt in order to sustain a certain number of bears. You need to use common sense and knowledge of state laws when you hunt bear to enjoy the experience.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Bear tags
- General hunting permit, laminated
- Weapons permit
- Orange clothing
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain sufficient bear tags from your state's wildlife office for registration of each bear that you kill. You need to place a temporary tag on a bear's ear after you have confirmed a killing and report the number to a wildlife agent before the end of the day.
-
2
Update your state hunting license each fall to hunt for bears legally without excessive paperwork. Some states have used multi-year applications and automatic renewals for experienced hunters. You should clip a laminated copy of your license to the back of your jacket for easy access.
-
-
3
Limit your catch based on updated information in the state's hunting regulations to hunt bears legally. You should find out whether the limit is daily or seasonal to determine the level of reporting you will need to complete with each kill.
-
4
Process killed bears properly to participate in hunting season legally in your state. Most states follow up with registered hunters on each bear they catch to determine if they have saved edible parts and used an experienced processor.
-
5
Monitor the size, height and installation of your tree stand to stay within your state's hunting regulations. States with concerns about a particular species of tree may dictate the number of screws and the type of screw plates used for installation.
-
6
Participate in state ID programs in order to safely and legally hunt bear in the wild. These programs are offered as part of hunting education programs and teach you how to determine the age and sex of different species of bears.
-
7
Dress in hunting orange to meet safety precautions laid out for bear hunting season. The number of hunters and the obscured terrain involved in bear hunting make bright clothing a prominent feature of hunting regulations in most states.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Purchase a weapons permit for your bow or firearm in order to hunt bears legally. Permits for weapons used in hunting can be obtained from the state's wildlife or natural resources office after seasonal information is released. Your failure to possess a weapons permit can lead to high fines and possible imprisonment.
