Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds all black bear hunters it is their responsibility to avoid mistakenly shooting a grizzly bear during the state’s upcoming spring black bear hunt.

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season begins April 15.

Before first-time bear hunters can purchase a black bear hunting license, he or she must be certified by successfully completing FWP’s bear identification training.

FWP offers a bear identification training course online at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunter Education page.

There are multiple ways to obtain and take the test—go online or by pick up a mail-in test from any FWP office. Bear identification tests can also be obtained by writing to: FWP Bear Test, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, Mont. 59620-0701.

FWP urges bear hunters to take advantage of the free bear identification training and to ensure they have the required certification before purchasing a hunting license.

Hunters may purchase black bear hunting licenses online at fwp.mt.gov, at FWP license providers, or print a paper license application and mail it to FWP. Licenses issued through the mail may take two weeks to process.