ID Black Bear Hunting

Idaho Black Bear GMUs & Season 2026

Black Bear season in Idaho runs Aug 30 – Jul 31 across 92 GMUs.

419 Seasons3 Weapon Types

General

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1GeneralApr 1May 22
Zone controlled-hunt-area-32AGeneralApr 1May 22
Zone unit-1GeneralApr 15Jun 15
Zone unit-1GeneralAug 30Oct 31
Zone unit-1GeneralApr 15Jun 15
Zone unit-10GeneralApr 1Jun 30
Zone unit-10GeneralAug 30Nov 30
Zone unit-10GeneralApr 1Jun 30
Zone unit-10aGeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-10aGeneralAug 30Oct 31
Zone unit-10aGeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-11GeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-11GeneralAug 30Oct 31
Zone unit-11GeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-11aGeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-11aGeneralAug 30Oct 31
Zone unit-11aGeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-12GeneralApr 1Jun 30
Zone unit-12GeneralAug 30Nov 30
Zone unit-12GeneralApr 1Jun 30
Zone unit-13GeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-13GeneralAug 30Oct 31
Zone unit-13GeneralApr 15May 31
Zone unit-14GeneralApr 15Jun 30
Zone unit-14GeneralAug 30Oct 31

+ 246 more

Dog Training

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone unit-10Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-10Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-10aDog TrainingJun 1Jul 31
Zone unit-10aDog TrainingJun 1Jul 31
Zone unit-12Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-12Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-14Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-14Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-15Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-15Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-16Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-16Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-18Dog TrainingJun 1Jul 31
Zone unit-18Dog TrainingJun 1Jul 31
Zone unit-19aDog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-19aDog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-21Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-21Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-21aDog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-21aDog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-22Dog TrainingMay 23Jul 31
Zone unit-22Dog TrainingMay 23Jul 31
Zone unit-23Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-23Dog TrainingJul 1Jul 31
Zone unit-24Dog TrainingJun 8Jul 31

+ 117 more

Controlled Hunt General

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone controlled-hunt-area-1–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 5Oct 9
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 1Oct 31
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 1Oct 31
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralApr 1May 22
Zone controlled-hunt-area-32AControlled Hunt GeneralSep 1Oct 31
Zone controlled-hunt-area-32AControlled Hunt GeneralApr 1May 22

Black Bear in Idaho: FAQ

When is black bear season in Idaho?

Black Bear season in Idaho currently runs Aug 30 to Jul 31, across 419 season rows and 92 GMUs, split by weapon (Controlled Hunt General, General, Dog Training).

Where is the best place to hunt black bear in Idaho?

The best GMUs for black bear in Idaho 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.

Plan your Black Bear hunt in Idaho

View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Also see Idaho seasons, public land, and license.

Black Bear seasons in Idaho — offline