Details

Black bear

Information about hunting and pursuing black bears in Utah

Note: Combined guidebook for black bear, cougar and furbearers

Utah's requirements and field regulations for bear and cougar hunting and pursuit are very similar, as are the rules and requirements for trapping furbearers and cougars. To consolidate information for hunters and trappers, the division combined these guidebooks in 2026.

Digital only guidebook: As of January 2026, this guidebook (and several others) will be available as a digital edition only, accessible on the DWR website and downloadable in the Utah Hunting and Fishing mobile app. Our staff at DWR offices will be available to assist customers who need digital guidebook information in print form.

Black Bear, Cougar and Furbearer Guidebook

This guidebook summarizes the laws and rules that govern black bear and cougar hunting and pursuit in Utah, as well as trapping and hunting regulations for furbearers — including bobcats and martens — and trapping cougars.

Published: Jan. 15, 2026
Version: 2026.2

Download – PDF (3.1 MB)

2025 (with cougar) – PDF (1.3 MB)
2024 – PDF (1.1 MB)
2023 – PDF (967.7 KB)
2022 – PDF (762.22 KB)
2021 – PDF (879.79 KB)
2020 – PDF (805.1 KB)
2019 – PDF (831.4 KB)
2018 – PDF (1.4 MB)

2025 (with bear) – PDF (1.3 MB)
2025 – PDF (1.7 MB)
2024 – PDF (4.8 MB)
2023 – PDF (1.7 MB)
2022–23 – PDF (5.6 MB)
2021–22 – PDF (4.7 MB)
2020–21 – PDF (2.5 MB)
2019–20 – PDF (2.1 MB)
2018–19 – PDF (2 MB)
2017–18 – PDF (1.7 MB)

2025-26 – PDF (825.67 KB)
2024-25 – PDF (1.6 MB)
2023-24 – PDF (1.4 MB)
2022-23 – PDF (1.9 MB)
2021-22 – PDF (8 MB)
2020-21 – PDF (1.5 MB)
2019-20 – PDF (1.1 MB)
2018-19 – PDF (878.11 KB)
2017-18 – PDF (3.4 MB)

Important updates and corrections made after the guidebook was published.

Corrections

Page 73: In the fall limited-entry bear hunt table, the Monroe unit (BR7237) was included in error and has been removed from the guidebook. Due to the 2025 fire, last year's permit was extended to 2026 and it would be a biological impact to offer an additional permit this year.

The digital edition of this guidebook has been updated with this information. (Feb. 12, 2026)