Bear, wolf and mountain lion: Panhandle seasons for 2026-27

Black bear
In Units 1, 2, 3 and 5 the take seasons are August 30 to October 31 and April 15 to June 15. Bait and dogs are prohibited in Unit 1. In Units 2, 3 and 5, dogs are prohibited August 30 to September 14, October 10 to 31 and April 15 to 30, and electronic calls are allowed. In Units 4 and 4A the seasons are August 30 to November 30 and April 15 to June 30, with a second bear tag allowed. Units 6, 7 and 9 also allow a second tag.

Mountain lion
Units 2, 3 and 5 are open July 1 to June 30, as are Units 4, 4A, 6, 7 and 9, with dogs prohibited during certain windows. Any hunter who takes a lion must check and report it within 10 days, presenting the skull and a hide portion with evidence of sex. Hunting lions within half a mile of an active big game feeding site is prohibited except on private property.

Gray wolf
On public land in Units 1, 2, 3 and 5 the season is open July 1 to June 30 under general rules. In Units 4, 4A, 6, 7 and 9 it is open April 1 to November 14, with expanded methods allowed November 15 to March 31. Private land statewide is open July 1 to June 30. A wolf kill must be reported in person within 10 days; check the rule book for how many wolf tags you may hold. Wolf trapping seasons are the subject of a federal court case, so check the current rules.

Hunting hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, with limited exceptions for wolves on private land with written permission.