All you need to know about black bear hunting in Ontario - 2026

Spring black bear seasons

Wildlife management unit	Resident and non-resident — open season
1A, 1C, 1D, 2–6, 7A[1], 7B, 8–10, 11A, 11B, 12–19, 21–50, 53–64, 66–69, 71–76	May 1 to June 15
82A[2], 83, 84[2]	May 1 to May 7

Notes:

• ^[1] Only bows and muzzle-loading guns are permitted in WMU 7A.
• ^[2] Indicates bear hunting is only permitted in the geographic townships of Keppel and Sarawak in WMU 82A, the geographic township of Amabel in WMU 84.
• The shooting of cubs or female bears accompanied by a cub is not permitted during the spring season.

Fall black bear seasons

Wildlife management unit	Resident and non-resident — open season
1A, 1C, 1D, 2–6, 7A[3], 7B, 8–10, 11A, 11B, 12–19, 21–45	August 15 to October 31
46, 47, 49, 50, 53, 64, 66, 67, 69, 71–76	September 8 to November 30
48, 54–63, 68	September 1 to November 30

Notes:

• ^[3] Only bows and muzzle-loading guns are permitted in WMU 7A.
• It is illegal to hunt black bear in the fall in the Bruce Peninsula, which includes WMU 82A, 83 and 84.