a bear in the forest

Bear Balance

At CDFW, we leverage a balanced black bear conservation and management approach that incorporates the many diverse viewpoints about black bears while enhancing our ability to ensure the needs of both humans and black bears are sustained into the future.

2025 Bear Balance by the Numbers

61

thousand

black bears in California

9

bear conservation regions

208

active collars

1,187

hunter harvests

14

rehab releases

1,314

wildlife incident reports

California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Bear Balance logo: A balanced approach to managing California's black bears.

Wildlife Branch - Game Program
1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 557-3444