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

+ 246 more

Dog Training

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

+ 117 more

Controlled Hunt General

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone controlled-hunt-area-1–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 5 — Oct 9———
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 1 — Oct 31———
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralSep 1 — Oct 31———
Zone controlled-hunt-area-22–1Controlled Hunt GeneralApr 1 — May 22———
Zone controlled-hunt-area-32AControlled Hunt GeneralSep 1 — Oct 31———
Zone controlled-hunt-area-32AControlled Hunt GeneralApr 1 — May 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 in Idaho: parcels + public land