Hunters must purchase and submit their spring black bear special hunt applications to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by midnight on Feb. 28. Hunts will occur in specific areas of western and eastern Washington.

Hunters who submit their applications are entered into a drawing in mid-March for 272 permits in western Washington and 509 permits for hunts east of the Cascade Range. The department will notify winners no later than March 31. Applicants can also check the drawing results through the WILD system by logging into their account at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.

To apply for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2018 hunting license that includes black bear as a species option. Additionally, hunters must identify their hunt area choice by indicating the number associated with the hunt area. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags, and bear permit applications may be purchased:

Online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/

By phone at (866) 246-9453, or

At any license vendor in Washington.

Special permit applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.

Hunters should be aware that private timberland owners in some hunt areas are limiting access or charging fees for access. If you cannot secure access in advance, do not apply for these hunts.

Those interested in hunting on the Kapowsin Tree Farm should contact the tree farm before submitting an application to determine which areas are open. Hunters selected for the Kapowsin Tree Farm hunt must purchase an access permit from Hancock Forest Management. Contact information for Hancock can be found online at http://www.hancockrecreationnw.com/.

More information about hunts scheduled on both sides of the state is available on the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/spring_bear/.

Any legal weapon that can be used for big game seasons can be used for spring black bear hunts. Bait or hounds are not allowed for these hunts.