Deadline to purchase black bear hunting license nears

LAKE COUNTY — The deadline for hunters to pre-purchase licenses for the fall black bear hunting season is Aug. 31.

A black bear hunting license may be purchased after Aug. 31 at a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office or on the Internet licensing site at http://fwp.mt.gov/, under Online Services, but it may not be used until five days after the license is issued.

The black bear archery season opens Sept. 3 and the general black bear hunting season opens Sept. 15.

Black bear hunters must have successfully completed FWP's Black Bear Identification Test and must present a certificate of completion when purchasing a black bear license.  The training and test are available online at fwp.mt.gov under Education, click on Hunter Education. A paper version of the test may be obtained at FWP offices or license providers.