PA Game Commission Officials Expect Another Banner Bear Season

Last year’s black bear harvest was the second highest on record, and weather permitting, the PA Game Commission expects hunters to have similar opportunities afield in the upcoming bear seasons.

“Pennsylvania’s black bear population has numbered near 15,000 for almost a decade,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.

“Because our bear population now covers more than three-quarters of the state...and includes a number of world-class trophy bears...Pennsylvania is recognized as one of the top states for bear hunters.

“Every year, we have a number of bears over 500 pounds included in the harvest.”

By the Numbers
The ‘08 bear harvest of 3,458 is second only to the ‘05 bear harvest, in which hunters took a record 4,164 bears. 

Other recent harvests were: 3,075 in ‘00; 3,063 in ‘01; 2,686 in ‘02; 3,000 in ‘03; 2,972 in ‘04; 3,122 in ‘06; and 2,360 in ‘07.

Over the past nine years, hunters have taken more black bears than in any other decade since the Game Commission began keeping bear harvest records in 1915. 

“Our black bear population is a remarkable resource,” said Mark Ternent, Game Commission black bear biologist.

“Every year since 2000, more than 100,000 hunters have headed afield in pursuit of bears, with harvests exceeding 3,000 bears most years, yet many local bear populations across the state have remained stable or increased.  It’s a good time to be a bear hunter.”

PA’s primary bear season is three days, statewide, just prior to Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-25.  
There also is a 2-day archery bear season (Nov. 18 & 19) in Wildlife Management Units 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D. 

Additionally, concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season, there is an extended season that is open Nov. 30-Dec. 5, in portions of WMUs 3B, 2G and 4E; and Dec. 2-5, in all of WMUs 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B, 5C.

“We expect bear population levels to be comparable to last year or possibly higher in areas where the harvest was down last year,” Ternent said.

“The exception may be in parts of the state’s northeast, where we have been trying to reduce local bear populations through the use of an extended season. Hunters should take around 3,500 bears if good weather prevails, maybe more if there is snow-cover in the upcoming bear seasons.”

Tipping the Scales
Since ‘92, six bears with an estimated live weight of 800 lbs. or more have been taken in PA.

The possibility of another 800-pounder being taken by a hunter is always in play when bear season opens.

The heaviest bears taken in PA typically come from the state’s Northeast Region.

And, in ‘08, the largest bear taken was a 716-pound (estimated live weight) male taken in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, by Morgan Neipert, of Tobyhanna, on Nov. 25. 

In all, 12 bears were taken in 2008 by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more, continuing to reinforce Pennsylvania’s status as a major bear hunting destination.

“License sales indicate that the number of bear hunters may be up this year,” Ternent said. “Couple that with what appears to be at least a stable, and possibly larger, bear population and it could translate into good bear hunting.”

Ternent noted that the two most important factors for big game hunting, such as bear, are weather and the availability of fall foods.

“While weather predictions are too difficult at this time, our fall food survey suggests that almost all hard and soft mast species produced well,” he said.

Last year, bears were taken in 54 of the state’s 67 counties. The state’s top three counties were: Potter, 294; Lycoming, 252; and Tioga, 236.

A majority of the bears...2,951...were taken in the three-day firearms season before Thanksgiving. In addition, 69 bears were taken in the archery season, and 438 were taken in the extended seasons.

Bear Check Stations
Hunters who harvest a bear during the 3-day statewide (Nov. 23-25) or extended (Nov. 30-Dec. 5 or Dec. 2-5, depending on the WMU) bear seasons must take it to one of the PA Game Commission’s check stations within 24 hours.

Check stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all three days. After 8 p.m. on Nov. 25, hunters with bears to be checked should contact any of the Game Commission's region offices for assistance.