State cuts spring black bear season

OLYMPIA – A deeply divided state Fish and Wildlife Commission voted not to establish a 2022 spring black bear special permit season.

The 5-4 vote took place during meetings Thursday-Saturday, March 17-19.

The decision to not offer a spring bear special permit won’t impact the fall black bear general season from Aug. 1 to Nov. 15, officials said.

Following the vote, the agency’s staff said it will review the possibility of offering spring seasons in future.

During the meeting, the commission also approved the purchase of more than 1,600 acres of privately owned land for conservation, effectively removing the land from the state tax base.

The commission voted to purchase 1,035 acres in Thurston County, 1,513 acres in Douglas County and 94 acres in Pacific County.

The Douglas County purchase was to “conserve shrubsteppe habitats,” agency official said.