Bear hunting season data across 82 GMUs in California. Includes harvest success and public land percentages.
| GMU | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A (North) | General | Aug 8 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone A (South) | General | Aug 8 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B1 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B2 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B3 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B4 | General | Aug 22 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B5 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone B6 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone C1 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone C2 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone C3 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone C4 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D10 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D11 | General | Oct 10 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D13 | General | Oct 10 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D14 | General | Oct 10 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D15 | General | Oct 10 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D17 | General | Oct 10 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D3 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D4 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D5 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D6 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D7 | General | Sep 19 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D8 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone D9 | General | Sep 26 — Dec 27 | — | — | — |
+ 18 more
| GMU | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone B1 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone B2 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone B3 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone B4 | Archery | Aug 15 — Aug 21 | — | — | — |
| Zone B5 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone B6 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone C1 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone C2 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone C3 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone C4 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D10 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D11 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D13 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D14 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D15 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D17 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D3 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D4 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D5 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D6 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D7 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D8 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone D9 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone X1 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone X10 | Archery | Aug 15 — Sep 6 | — | — | — |
+ 14 more
California has 82 bear seasons across 43 GMUs, split by weapon (General, Archery). Exact opening and closing dates are listed in the tables above.
The best GMUs for bear in California depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per GMU above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.
View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.
Hunting in Canada? Explore Crown Land Maps, Hunting Seasons, Licence Guide, and Regulations for Canadian provinces.