This past season’s bear hunt was a record breaker for Pennsylvania with 4,151 bears taken. When you factor in the estimated statewide bear population, that is about 22% of the total, which is within the management goals of the Fish and Game Department. The number of bear cubs taken also falls within percentage goals of the Department.
What was out of skew, was the number of bear sows bagged in Wildlife Units 2C, 3A and 4A. The number is too high, especially the number harvested during the extended season which overlaps with the deer hunt.
Now officials are discussing with biologists whether to limit the bear hunt in and around those Wildlife Management Units mentioned. Any recommendations for changes would have to come at the agencies next meeting scheduled for January 23-25, 2006.
Tom Remington
