For the Cumberland Times-News
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Last year’s black bear harvest was the second highest on record, and weather permitting, the Pennsylvania 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 exceeding 500 pounds included in the harvest.”
The 2008 bear harvest of 3,458 is second only to the 2005 bear harvest, in which hunters took a record 4,164 bears. Other recent harvests were: 3,075 in 2000; 3,063 in 2001; 2,686 in 2002; 3,000 in 2003; 2,972 in 2004; 3,122 in 2006; and 2,360 in 2007. During 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, the agency’s 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.” Pennsylvania’s primary bear season is statewide, Nov. 23-25.
“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.”
Since 1992, six bears with an estimated live weight of 800 pounds or more have been taken in Pennsylvania. The possibility of another 800-pounder being taken by a hunter is always in play.
The heaviest bears taken in Pennsylvania typically come from the state’s Northeast Region. And, in 2008, the largest bear taken was a 716-pound (estimated live weight) male taken in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, by Morgan C. Neipert, of Tobyhanna, on Nov. 25. In all, 12 bears were taken in 2008 by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more.
“License sales indicate that the number of bear hunters may be up,” 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.”
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. In addition, 69 bears were taken in the archery season, and 438 were taken in the extended seasons.
Bear licenses must be purchased before Nov. 30 and must be displayed while hunting.
