Black Bear Game Management Units (GMUs) 22, 31, 32 and 32A have traditionally been managed through controlled hunt permits only, leading to high quality bear hunting opportunities. In recent years, Fish and Game staff have dealt with an increase in black bear depredation issues on private lands, coupled with an increase in requests from hunters to provide more hunting opportunities in these units.
For these reasons, and considering the unique history of quality bear management in the area, a stakeholder working group was convened by southwest region commissioner Tim Murphy to address these topics. During their time together, the group developed recommendations to maintain quality black bear hunting while reducing bear/human conflicts in these GMUs. The full report is available here (BB Report), and opportunities to comment on the report will be made available this winter during the 2021-22 big game hunting season setting process.