| Arizona has an interesting history when it comes | | | | full year season on black bear hunting. |
| to bear hunting. Going back to 1928 is where the | | | | It was really in 1954 when major efforts came |
| story will start. Around this time black bears were | | | | about to protect bears and the hunting sport |
| being classified as predatory animals; allowing | | | | behind the, More regulations were enacted with |
| them to be trapped or shot at any given time. | | | | bigger restrictions. Limits were set to one black |
| This all changed in 1929 with a new game code | | | | bear per seasons and black bears were officially |
| which changed black bear classification to big | | | | classified as big game again in 1968. This was |
| game. Along with the classification change came a | | | | crucial since the interest of hunters for black |
| month-long only hunting season with hunters being | | | | bears was increasing greatly. Between 1964 and |
| limited to one harvest. You were able to use dogs | | | | 1980 the average bear harvest was around 131 |
| to hunt them, but weren't allowed to trap them. | | | | to 313; however, this varied with population |
| As the years passed more restrictions came into | | | | vagaries and weather conditions. |
| effect. Cubs were protected in 1934 and hunting | | | | Concern was building due to the interest in bear |
| season was closed south of the Gila River in 1936. | | | | hunting and the low reproductive rates. This came |
| The period during World War 2 was devastating | | | | to the attention of the Game & Fish Department |
| to black bears. At the request of stockmen, in | | | | and they started to monitor bear harvests more |
| 1942 all state refuges were open to bear hunting. | | | | closely. The mandatory checkout procedure was |
| Counties like Cochise and Graham had also opened | | | | started in 1980, along with other regulations such |
| black bear hunting seasons. Around 1944 both a | | | | as authorization of a permit-only spring season in |
| fall and sprint hunt were created and lasted a full | | | | select units, the elimination of bear baiting as a |
| month. In 1949 bears were able to be hunted | | | | method of take, and unit harvest limits in which |
| year long in Apache, Greenlee, Graham, and | | | | the season is closed after a certain number of |
| eastern Coconino counties, except during the | | | | female bears are taken. As of July 2006, bears |
| seasons for other big-game species; this was due | | | | hunters are required to present their harvest to |
| to their change in designation as a game animal. | | | | the Arizona Game and Fish Department for |
| Between 1951 and 1953 the Arizona Game & Fish | | | | inspection. |
| Department Commission opted once again for a | | | | |