ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE
This document is provided for archival purposes only. Archived documents
do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual
inaccuracies.
News release Jan. 26, 2005
OLYMPIA - Hunters who want a chance to be drawn for one of this year's 305 spring black bear hunting permits must submit an application to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by midnight on March 13.
Two new pilot spring black bear damage hunts will occur in western Washington this year - one in Capitol Forest southwest of Olympia and one on the Kapowsin Tree Farm in eastern Pierce County. WDFW will issue 100 permits for the April 15-June 15 season in each of these hunting areas.
Hunters selected for the Kapowsin Tree Farm hunt must contact Rainier Timber Company at 1 (800) 782-1493 to purchase an access permit.
A spring bear hunt will also occur in seven game management units in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington. Thirty permits will be issued for the Wenaha Unit; 15 each for the Blue Creek, Dayton, Mountain View, and Lick Creek units; 10 permits for the Tucannon Unit; and 5 for the Grande Ronde Unit. The spring bear season in these units is April 15 to May 31.
Hunters interested in applying for a spring bear permit must purchase a hunting license that includes bear as a species option and a special permit application. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications can be purchased at any hunting license vendor in the state, online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or by calling toll-free 1 (866) 246-9453.
Applications require the use of the correct hunt choice number. Hunt choice numbers for the Blue Mountain bear season can be found on page 42 of the 2004 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet. Hunt choice numbers for the western Washington spring bear season can be found at any license vendor, or online at the WDFW website.
Hunters can submit a spring bear application online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or by calling toll-free 1 (877) 945-3492.
Permit winners will be notified by mail by March 21. Spring black bear hunters can use any legal weapon, including modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader. Bait or hounds are not allowed for bear hunting.