California hunters can now take up to two black bears per season under new rules

by Adam RobinsonFri, April 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Updated Fri, April 17, 2026 at 7:57 PM

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File photo of black bear (WSYX)

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NORTHSTATE, Calif. — The California Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved changes to black bear hunting rules, adopting amendments to sections 365, 366 and 708.12 of the state’s Fish and Game Code that allow each licensed hunter to obtain up to two bear tags per season and expand hunting into previously restricted areas of northeastern California, including eastern portions of Lassen and Modoc counties.

Under the updated regulations, hunters must still follow existing requirements, including licensing, tag reporting and seasonal limits set by the state. Officials said the changes are intended to provide additional management tools for California’s bear population, which has grown in recent decades, though the decision has drawn sharp disagreement over whether increased hunting is necessary.

MORE DETAILS | What the new bear hunting rules mean for California

FILE -Katrina Mitchell/Getty Images

Jenny Berg, California state director for Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, criticized the vote, saying, “I’m deeply disappointed that the Commission doubled the number of bear hunting tags individuals can use. Bear hunters make up just 0.08% of California’s population, yet today, the Commission chose to align with that small minority rather than the vast majority of Californians who want no bear hunt at all. Hundreds of California’s bears are killed by hunters every year. There is no good reason to double the number of bears one individual can kill, and there is certainly no sound science showing a need to allow two bears per person.”

Supporters of the change pointed to years of advocacy and research behind the decision. Modoc County Supervisor Ned Coe said, “As a Modoc County Supervisor, today I provided comments for the final hearing of the CA Fish & Game Commission regarding allowing black bear hunting in eastern Modoc and Lassen counties… The Commission unanimously approved the change in hunting regulations that will open a bear season in eastern Modoc and Lassen. Additionally, the Commission approved for hunters to be able to obtain a second bear tag. This has literally taken years of research work by the Department and lots of lobbying by Modoc County, but we have success!!”

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Hunting advocates also celebrated the outcome. The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said, “IT PASSED. Today, the California Fish and Game Commission approved the second bear tag, and for the first time since 2012, California hunters have additional tools to manage the bear population. This win belongs to every CA BHA member, hunter, angler and conservationist who showed up, commented, shared and refused to let the opposition tell this story without us. Your CA BHA chapter has been in this fight since 2021. We defeated a full ban on bear hunting. We beat back a moratorium petition. We contributed to research. We filed the petition the day CDFW’s landmark management plan dropped. If you’re not a member of California BHA yet, today is a great day to join.”

The rule changes take effect under the state’s existing regulatory framework, with wildlife officials expected to monitor impacts on bear populations and hunting activity in the coming seasons.

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