California second bear tag

[limpet]

Looking through the 2026 big game digest this morning I see that a second bear tag may become available if fish and game approves it at their April meeting. I feel like they wouldn’t put the option in the digest if they didn’t think it would pass. Would you get a second tag if you could? I probably will and maybe only get one buck tag and focus more on bears to help deer populations.

 

[jzeblaz]

I'd consider it IF I'd killed one bear, but a spring season would probably be more beneficial than just increasing tags. I don't think we've hit the bear quota in a long while (since hounds removed). Maybe that would get us there, but who knows.

 

[JohnnyB]

Count me in. This may not increase the take substantially, but it will add revenue for Fish and Wolves which will hopefully go to bear research and management.

 

[Quercus]

It will almost certainly pass. The current commission make up is very favorable to sportsmen. I will not buy one, but good on folks who want to. Mario/Arjun from CDFW estimate that only ~150 extra tags will get filled through this and the Modoc zone expansion.

The quota doesn't really matter at 1700. Most dudes are shooting boars anyway so there is very little effect on the population. Even with dogs I doubt it was moving the needle much. California just supports a lot of bears.

 

[limpet]

I'd consider it IF I'd killed one bear, but a spring season would probably be more beneficial than just increasing tags. I don't think we've hit the bear quota in a long while (since hounds removed). Maybe that would get us there, but who knows.

Fair enough. They’re like fleas on a stray dog up here on the north coast. A spring season would require a lot more law and reg changes than increasing the tag limit, but I agree a spring season would help a lot. Adding a second tag is a step in the right direction and shows we’re being heard by the department at least a little. I doubt they will sell a ton of second tags but for the serious bear hunters it’s a big win.

 

[AM_Hunter]

I'm struggling to find just one bear

 

[huntsd]

Fair enough. They’re like fleas on a stray dog up here on the north coast. A spring season would require a lot more law and reg changes than increasing the tag limit, but I agree a spring season would help a lot. Adding a second tag is a step in the right direction and shows we’re being heard by the department at least a little. I doubt they will sell a ton of second tags but for the serious bear hunters it’s a big win.

agreed im not sure who would buy 2 tags its hard enough to fill a CA bear tag as is, since we cant bait or use dogs. but hell its a step in the right direction towards more liberal hunting seasons like a spring season ect..

 

[limpet]

agreed im not sure who would buy 2 tags its hard enough to fill a CA bear tag as is, since we cant bait or use dogs. but hell its a step in the right direction towards more liberal hunting seasons like a spring season ect..

Man we must be on opposite ends of the state because I see multiple bears a day hunting in some spots. Last season we had 7 in rifle range at first light in one basin. Just driving roads I’ll see a couple per day during bow season.

 

[huntsd]

Man we must be on opposite ends of the state because I see multiple bears a day hunting in some spots. Last season we had 7 in rifle range at first light in one basin. Just driving roads I’ll see a couple per day during bow season.

man i need your spot! probably, i hunt socal/sierras. i've taken a couple of CA bears but we dont see them in the numbers you are talking! more power to you if you can punch 2 tags in 1 season!

 

[AM_Hunter]

Few few bears are taken in SoCal from what Ive seen on the reports. In 2024, only 8 were taken in LA County and 18 in SB County.