Black Bear Season Closes in California

Dec. 17, 2009: The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced the closure of the statewide black bear hunting season on December 17. Under regulations adopted by the Fish and Game Commission, the black bear season is closed when DFG verifies 1,700 bears are taken by hunters.

DFG has mailed notices to all bear tag holders that the season is now closed. DFG wardens and biologists will also inform hunters they encounter in the field that the season is closed. Statewide media sources are being notified via this press release.

All bear tags must be returned to the DFG Wildlife Branch, 1812 Ninth St., Sacramento, California, 95811, by Feb.1, 2010.

Hunters must submit harvested bears to DFG for validation within 10 days of taking the bear. Teeth are extracted from half of the harvested bears, and DFG biologists use the teeth to compile data about the health of the state's bear population.

Tags yet to be received by DFG may put the total harvest slightly above 1,700 bears. The hunting season does not have an adverse impact on the state's bear population, which is estimated at more than 35,000.