Hunters looking to apply for Idaho 2025 spring controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.
Hunters must have a 2025 hunting license in order to apply for controlled hunts, and can do so online, at a license vendor location, at any Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional office or by phone at 1 (800) 554-8685.
Controlled hunts are hunts with a limited number of tags allocated by a random drawing, unlike a general season hunt, which allows hunters to purchase tags over the counter. Controlled hunts are often desirable because of location and timing, and success rates are usually higher than general season hunts.
In addition to having a valid 2025 hunting license, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between grizzly bears and black bears.
After successfully completing a bear identification test, a hunter will be assigned a certificate number that hunters must provide when in the field. Fish and Game recommends hunters save a digital copy of the completed certificate and store the certificate number on their GoOutdoorsIdaho.com customer license account.
Information on the spring 2025 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the 2024 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet.
