Class A Bear License Privilege Transfer to Youth Hunters

Fact Sheet

Act 59 was passed allowing the transfer of a Class A Bear Hunting License from an adult to a youth hunter. This unique program will allow a recipient of a Class A Bear Hunting License to transfer the license authority to a youth hunter 12-17 years of age.

The following information is a summary of the administration of the program.

• The WDNR issues two (2) types of bear hunting licenses.
• A Class A Bear License (formerly called a Bear Harvest Permit) allows the license holder to kill a bear.
• A Class B Bear License (formerly called a Bear Pursuit Permit) allows the license holder to assist the recipient of a Class A Permit, but does not allow the holder to shoot, shoot at, or kill a bear.
• The WDNR administers a cumulative preference system for issuing Class A Bear Licenses.
• Applicants with an adequate number of preference points are given priority in the issuance of Class A Bear License.
• Act 59 allows the recipient of a Class A Bear License to transfer that authority to a youth hunter 12-17 years of age.
• The transferee must have completed a hunter education course.
• The transferee must be at least 12 years old at the beginning of the season or turn 12 during the season.
• The transferee must be under 18 at the time of application
  (before August 1).
• Transfers can still be granted to individuals who turn 18 between August 1 and the end of the bear season.
• A minor may only be transferred a Class A Bear License once.
• The transfer of a license does not affect the number of preference points that the minor may have previously acquired.
• Both residents and non-residents may transfer a Class A Bear License.
• Transferees may either be residents or non-residents.
• There is no transaction fee for a transfer.
• If a resident transfers the license to a non-resident minor, the resident must pay the difference between the fees of a resident and non-resident license.
• There is no fee rebate if a non-resident transfers the license to a resident minor.
• The transferor may not receive payment or consideration for the transfer of a Class A Bear License.
• The transfer must take place on or before the August 1st immediately preceding the bear season.
• Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or over the Internet (PDF, 59KB).
• Transferred licenses will be mailed to the youth hunter.
• All transfer applications are final.
• The transferor of the license will lose the preference points that they have accumulated.
• Youth who turn 12 prior to the bear hunting season will be mailed a license.
• Youth who turn 12 after the beginning of the season will be mailed a notification of the successful transfer which must be taken to a DNR Service Center when the youth has turned 12 in order to obtain their Class A Bear License.

Questions for Wildlife Management