Spring black bear hunt applications due March 13

OLYMPIA - Hunters may now submit applications for spring black bear hunting permits, applicable to specific areas of western and eastern Washington.

To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase and submit an application to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by midnight March 13.

A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 235 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.

To apply for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2008 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/), by phone (866-246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state.

Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492. Hunt options, including hunt numbers, in western Washington are:

• Hunt #7014 (Copalis): 100 permits will be issued for a season running April 15 through June 15 in the portion of game management unit (GMU) 642 that is designated as the hunt area by Rayonier timber company.

• Hunt #7015 (Kapowsin): 100 permits will be issued for a season running April 15 through June 15 in the portion of GMUs 653 and/or 654 that is designated as the hunt area by Hancock Forest Management.
• Hunt #7016 (Capitol Forest): 50 permits will be issued for a season running April 15 through June 15 in the portion of Capitol Forest within GMU 663.
• Hunt #7017 (North Skagit): 20 permits will be issued for a season running April 15 through May 31 in the portion of GMU 418 designated as the hunt area by DNR, Sierra Pacific, and Grandy Lake Timber Company.
• Hunt #7018 (Monroe): 25 permits will be issued for a season running April 15 through May 31 in the portion of GMU 448 that is designated as the hunt area by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Longview Timber Lands.

Hunters selected for the Kapowsin Tree Farm hunt must purchase an access permit from Hancock Forest Management by calling (800) 782-1493. Hunters should also contact Kapowsin Tree Farm prior to submitting an application to find out what areas within the tree farm are open to hunters.

Hunters selected for the Copalis hunt must obtain a Recreational Use Permit and should contact Rayonier timber company at (360) 533-7000 during regular business hours.

Spring black bear hunts are also scheduled in 13 game management units in eastern Washington from April 15 to May 31. More information on hunts scheduled on both sides of the state is available on page 56 in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations).

Any legal weapon used during the modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader seasons can be used for spring black bear hunts. Bait or hounds are not allowed for bear hunting.