BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASONS AND REGULATIONS

Regulations

The limit on bear hunting for any person participating in statewide or Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunts or both shall not exceed one bear per calendar year. This bear may be either sex.

Cubs or female bears with cubs at side may not be taken at any time. A cub is defined as a bear weighing 75 lbs or less.

Bears may be whole or field dressed but must weigh 75 pounds or greater when checked in.

The reproductive (sex) organs must remain attached to each bear harvested until the bear has been officially checked out at an official checking station.

2008 BEAR SEASONS - DOGS PROHIBITED

Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Monroe, Polk (east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington - archery only - dogs prohibited - Oct. 13-26. One per year, either sex.

Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Monroe, Polk (east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington - G/M/A - dogs prohibited - Nov. 22-25. One per year, either sex.

2008 BEAR SEASONS - DOGS PERMITTED

Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Monroe, Polk (east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington. G/M/A - dogs permitted - Nov. 12-15, Nov. 29-Dec. 12. One per year, either sex.

Monroe - G/M/A - dogs permitted - Oct. 8-9, Oct. 20-21. One per year, either sex.

Blount, Cocke (south of I-40), Sevier, - G/M/A - dogs permitted - Sept. 24-30. One per year, either sex.

Prohibited Acts

• Hunting private property without landowners permission.
• Hunting prohibited over a site where bait has been placed to feed or attract wildlife unless the bait has been removed at least 10 days prior to hunting.
• It is illegal to hunt, shoot at, chase, or kill any wild animal, wild bird, or wildfowl from a public road right-of-way, or from any motorized vehicle, or to shoot any firearms across or from any public road or vehicle.

Bear Dog Training Season

• Cocke, Greene, and Sevier - private land and Cherokee WMA in these counties - Open Sep. 4-17. No bears may be taken. No weapons may be possessed. Daylight hours only.
• Blount, Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington - private land only in these counties - Open Sep. 4-17. No bears may be taken. No weapons may be possessed. Daylight hours only.

Bear Reserves

Wild boar hunting with dogs and bear hunting are not permitted in bear reserves unless a special exception is provided by proclamation. Feral hog season is closed during bear season.