Which bear hunt codes are valid in GMU 500?

3 limited codes in the 2026 brochure: B-E-050-O1-A (archery either, Sept. 2–30); B-E-050-O1-M (muzzleloader either, Sept. 12–20); B-E-050-O1-R (rifle either, Sept. 2–30).

What is the easiest bear tag to draw in GMU 500?

B-E-050-O1-A (archery, either, Sept. 2–30) drew out at 0 for residents and 0 for nonresidents in the 2026 draw, with 40 tags.

GMU 500 Bear Report — 2026 season

3 limited hunt codes valid in this unit. CPW 2026 brochure, 2026 primary draw recap. Points: resident / nonresident.

Every hunt code in the unit

			Dates	GMUs				Pts 23→26 res / nonres
B-E-050-O1-A	archery	either	Sept. 2–30	50, ■500, ■501	B	40	40	-/-/-/0-/-/-/0	–	–
B-E-050-O1-M	muzzleloader	either	Sept. 12–20	50, ■500, ■501	B	20	21	-/-/-/0-/-/-/0	–	–
B-E-050-O1-R	rifle	either	Sept. 2–30	50, ■500, ■501	B	60	114	-/-/-/0-/-/-/0	–	–

Near-sure draws (0–1 point in 2026)

B-E-050-O1-A archery either, Sept. 2–30: 40 tags, 40 first-choice apps, drew at 0 res /0 nonres, success –, List B
B-E-050-O1-M muzzleloader either, Sept. 12–20: 20 tags, 21 first-choice apps, drew at 0 res /0 nonres, success –, List B
B-E-050-O1-R rifle either, Sept. 2–30: 60 tags, 114 first-choice apps, drew at 0 res /0 nonres, success –, List B

Stackable tags (List B/C — hold alongside a List A tag)

B-E-050-O1-A archery either Sept. 2–30 — drew at 0 res / 0 nonres, 40 tags
B-E-050-O1-M muzzleloader either Sept. 12–20 — drew at 0 res / 0 nonres, 20 tags
B-E-050-O1-R rifle either Sept. 2–30 — drew at 0 res / 0 nonres, 60 tags

With your points

Likely draws (3)

Coin flips (0)

Not this year (0)

Based on the last draw's drawn-out-at points. Codes with no draw at that residency are left out. Point creep can push a code up a bucket.

Drawn-out-at = preference points held by the last successful applicant at that residency. "0 (2nd)" = the code filled with 2nd-choice applicants, so any 1st-choice applicant drew with 0 points. Success % and days/harvest are from CPW's harvest survey, by hunt code.

FAQ

Which bear hunt codes are valid in GMU 500?: 3 limited codes in the 2026 brochure: B-E-050-O1-A (archery either, Sept. 2–30); B-E-050-O1-M (muzzleloader either, Sept. 12–20); B-E-050-O1-R (rifle either, Sept. 2–30).
What is the easiest bear tag to draw in GMU 500?: B-E-050-O1-A (archery, either, Sept. 2–30) drew out at 0 for residents and 0 for nonresidents in the 2026 draw, with 40 tags.