We expanded the number of managed dove fields in all six of the agencys regions, with more than 550 acres prepared for the 2020 season. Black bear population numbers follow two-year cycles. We continue to operate on a licensing structure that is over two decades old, and pricing hasnt kept pace with inflation even though our expenses have. Allowing us to manage them ensures well always have the financial capacity to fund the Commonwealths wildlife conservation. As of Tuesday, Dec. 1, a combined total of 3,178 bears were harvested statewide (17 Early Archery Season, 1,965 Combined Seasons, 1,167 Firearms Season and 29 Extended Season). For ages of bears with legal seals #2109265 21158652. If your issue is not resolved by following the troubleshooting tips above, please click here to run a speed test and share your results in a support ticket. To order the 2021 Pennsylvania Big Game Records book, visit the Game Commission's website www.pgc.pa.gov or call 1-888-888-3459. We constantly receive feedback from hunters on how much they appreciate these fields and the hard work put in by the agencys habitat-management crews, as managed dove fields represent the first time that dove hunters in Pennsylvania have a dedicated location on public lands to enjoy fast-action dove hunting. Over the past decade, and largely under the leadership of Chairman Gillespie, we have worked with this Committee to implement important legislative changes. There is potentially an effect of having that really high harvest and noticing those decreases in the following two years, which follows the life history [and] reproductive strategy of black bears, Carrollo says. This was recently noted in the 2020 audit report conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee. This assay was initially designed to assist the PGCs wildlife rehabilitation permittees in returning injured bats back to the wild and preventing bat/human COVID-19 exposure. The COVID-19 pandemic, if anything, demonstrated what happens when people have more free time hunting licenses sales and participation increased. ** Includes General & Disabled Applicants, ** Total included Resident Antlertess and Resident Special Regs, *** Total includes NonResident Antlerless and Nonresident Special Regs, Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), * Total included Resident Military, National Guard, Reserves & POW, Special Wild Turkey License (Non-Resident), Middle Creek Archery Deer Hunt Applications, Middle Creek Mentored Adult Squirrel Hunt Applications, Middle Creek Mentored Adult Archery Deer Hunt Applications, Middle Creek Archery/Flintlock Deer Hunt Applications, Pymatuning Goose Blind Hunt Applications***, Pymatuning Youth Turkey Hunt Applications. Our foresters continued to lay out forestry projects, our biologists continued with their field research, and our habitat crews continued management of our game lands. November 21, 2020 / 5:09 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. Our efforts this past year include an expansion of the Wildlife Futures Program, a partnership with the University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine that is focused on improving wildlife-disease management and surveillance and promoting wildlife research. For ages of bears with legal seals #4411-2105019 The others were 2011 (4,350) and 2005 (4,162). but aligned with the Pennsylvania Game Commission's average of 3,675 over the past five seasons. The Game Commission is considering setting .24 as the minimum caliber for deer and bear hunting, which would rule out a few smaller, popular rounds, such as the .223. Just $1 per month , Are Keystone State bear numbers dropping? Check out this video, Steelhead anglers savor mild weather in Erie County creeks, Pa. hunter reflects on whats in a name, harvests 3 deer, bear this fall, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Please check the box below to grant HDOnTap permission to contact you: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Last year hunters brought 1,034 bears to the check stations during the opening weekend. Lycoming County has the most bears harvested this fall with 212. The Pennsylvania Game Commission released Monday its black bear harvest report for 2021. COVID-19 did increase the demands placed on the Game Commission. On the wildlife protection front, 103 full-time state game wardens, assisted by 247 deputy game wardens, were active across the state in 2020. But we dont have the authority to manage our hunting licenses. In comparison, the four-day black bear rifle season netted 1,314. Of interest: Hunters take record number of black bears in Pennsylvania in 2019. The numbers prove that. Watch the PA Bear Den Three Cubs and Mama as they get ready to venture outside of the den! Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Please enable scripts and reload this page. It is worth noting that a recent report from the National Deer Association credited Pennsylvania as one of only three states in the entire U.S. to harvest more than 300,000 deer annually. As we move through March, the cubs will become more visible and active; early in the month, we may see the sows back much of the time. The requirement allows the agency to track where the bears are being killed and get some general health information from the animals as well as their age. Following yet another top 10 harvest during the 2021 hunting season, black bear population numbers in Pennsylvania showed a decline for the second year in a row. Watch what happens when the PA bear family of 4 ventures outside of the den for a fieldtrip, with exclusive footage from outside of the den! If the hunter no longer has the seal number, age. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Outdoors Newsletter emailon your website's homepage under your login name. Hunters are finding large bears across Pennsylvania, Black bear opportunities abound in Pennsylvania, Want to know about black bears in Pennsylvania? The population increases and decreases depending on a variety of factors. Learn Pennsylvania bear hunters harvested at least 3,619 black bears this year, which would rank 2021 as the 7th top bruin harvest of all time. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. (1:25)Black Bear Expansion Based on Harvest Distribution(PDF)Mange in Black Bears brochure (PDF), Black Bear Research in Your Neighborhood (PDF)Population Growth of BearsBountiful Black BearsBear Management Plan (PDF)Pennsylvania Residents' Opinions On and Attitudes toward Black Bears (PDF)Pennsylvania Residents' Opinions On and Attitudes toward black Bears - Executive Summary (PDF). To access the database, click on "Hunt/Trap" in the menu bar at the top of the page, click on "Hunting," scroll down and click on "Black Bear" in the "Big Game" listing, and then scroll down and click on "Black Bear Age Data" in the "Reference" listing. Where to find bears: Black bear opportunities abound in Pennsylvania The average over the last 10 to 15 years has been a little over 3,000 bears. HARRISBURG, PA - Pennsylvania bear hunters had quite the year in 2021. The Game Commission said this ranks as the state's. This is a significant accomplishment especially when compared to many other states across the nation that reported substantial increases in turnaround time and declines in CWD sampling caused by complications associated with COVID-19. Bolts are to be equipped with broadheads with at least two cutting edges upon the same plane throughout the entire length of the cutting surface. Hunting licenses can be purchased online athttps://huntfish.pa.govor from issuing agents located in every county. Watch as the three bear cubs wrestle at about 3 months old. We know the recipe to make more bears, Carrollo said about having the ability to change the hunting seasons based on the robust data they are collecting on bears through check station requirements. Bear. Statewide. These numbers are a testament to the hunting culture and traditions in our state that remain alive and well, as well as the health and productivity of our deer herd. The cost of these treatments in not cheap, with over $200,000 spent to date. With the last of the extended hunting seasons for bears . 1,314 bears have been taken in firearms season so far, with 1,197 taken during . And remember, nature can be difficult to watch. Here's the latest bear tallies as reported by the Pa. Game Commission. NCPA Staff. Bears have cubs every other year making management a long-term planning goal. We certainly appreciate your hard work and look forward to working with you for the betterment of wildlife and conservation in Pennsylvania. Hunters can take only one bear during the license year. pa black bear den This live video feed is the result of a partnership between Pennsylvania Game Commission and HDOnTap for educational purposes,. Fredrick Kyss took this 202-plus buck in the 1960s. License fees are the agencys most stable revenue stream. None of that is to say every bear hunter who hits the woods will fill their tag. The extended bear season adds excitement for hunters, allowing them to seek deer and bears at the same time, doubling their chances of placing their tag on an incredible trophy, said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. Join us in celebrating Pennsylvania's bountiful black bears. The statewide regular bear season accounted for the largest. The harvest figures do show a couple of trends that, while not causes for concern, will need to be monitored. The last time the Game and Wildlife Code was updated was in 1987. Learn Throughout the year, changes at our Haldeman Island and Blue Marsh Wildlife Management Areas were dramatic, with us heading in the direction of creating long term, year-round habitat for a multitude of wildlife species. Marienville Ranger Station to host Pennsylvania Game Commission bear check station. That allows agency staff to remove a tooth, used to determine the bears age. These revenue estimates could change due to the natural volatility of market-driven revenue sources, namely natural gas. Because the current pandemic has placed additional human pressure on global bat populations, the Wildlife Futures and PGC developed and validated COVID-19 testing for bats. *** Total includes NonResident Antlerless and Nonresident Special Regs. Hunters harvested an estimated 376,810 white-tailed deer. Those with archery gear, muzzleloaders and special firearms and an early archery season bagged 1,204 bears. A two-year decline isnt surprising, as black bears give birth every other year, and sows dont reach sexual maturity until the age of three. Live Bear Cam 2023 The Game Commission and HDOnTap are pleased to bring back the opportunity to learn what goes on in a den with a female black bear and her cubs. The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, Pike County. Moreover, releases now consist of 75 percent males compared to 50 percent previously, further increasing hunter satisfaction. Phil Bourjaily WMU. As was the case last year, its essentially offering three. The statewide buck . Were right on par with what I would expect.". Alt served over 20 years as the Pennsylvania Game Commission's lead bear biologist, where he helped oversee a recovery of Ursa americanus from about 3,000 bears to 15,000 and the expansion of their range from about a dozen counties to over 60.Following on his success with bears, he was asked by then-Governor Tom Ridge to take on the demanding role of the lead whitetail biologist in a state . HARRISBURG, PA - Pennsylvania hunters followed up 2019-20 hunting seasons' highest overall deer harvest in 15 years by topping it when they took an estimated 435,180 deer in the 2020-21 hunting seasons, which closed in January, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported today.. 2021 PA Bear Den returns in February at the same location in Monroe County with a new sow and three cubs. More: Pa. Game Commission gives bear hunters opportunities as bear population booms Hunters have already taken. BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMU 5B):Oct. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday, Nov. 13; and Nov. 14-18. Northeast 1,121 (988): Pike, 167 (105); Bradford, 136 (108); Sullivan, 127 (71); Wayne, 120 (100); Luzerne, 111 (125); Carbon, 103 (97); Monroe, 95 (152); Susquehanna, 77 (54); Wyoming, 66 (42); Lackawanna, 62 (56); Columbia, 36 (53); Northumberland, 16 (22); and Montour, 5 (3). Pennsylvania has a long history of supporting a lot of black bears, many of truly impressive size, across most of the state, Carrollo said. The G-PAST is now being used by other state wildlife agencies to assist their efforts to enhance grouse populations. For ages of bears with legal seals #2105020 2109264 During last years annual report to this committee, I told you about a bold and innovative pilot project undertaken by this new partnership to train dogs to detect chronic wasting disease. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Check out this video. In 2020, hunters harvested 3,608 bears the sixth-best harvest ever and it followed last years harvest of over 4,600 bears. This diagnostic tool can also aid with wildlife-disease surveillance of native bat species for COVID-19 and can be used for other species. Sullivan had 127, Wayne came in at 119, Centre had 116 and Huntingdon roundedout the Top 10 list with 115 bears this fall. It also includes the muzzleloader and special firearms seasons. Potter County ranked second with 180, Pike County third with 167, Tioga County fourth with 166 and Clinton County fifth with 156. For ages of bears with legal seals #4411-2105019, For ages of bears with legal seals #2105020 2109264, For ages of bears with legal seals #2109265 21158652, For ages of bears harvested in the NW region, For ages of bears harvested in the SW region, For ages of bears harvested in the NC region, For ages of bears harvested in the SC region, For ages of bears harvested in the NE region, For ages of bears harvested in the SE region, Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP). The. to bring back the opportunity to learn what goes on in a den with a female black bear and her cubs. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Pennsylvania had been home to over 20,000 bears for several years, but the approximate population fell this year from an estimated 16,268 in 2020 to 15,666 last year. We agree with this assessment, and share the concerns raised in the audit report. Black bears are wild creatures and it is important for us to keep them wild. Southwest 246 (260): Armstrong, 57 (56); Somerset, 58 (70); Fayette, 49 (43); Westmoreland, 41 (32); Cambria, 19 (24); Indiana, 12 (30); Allegheny, 7 (3); and Greene, 3 (2). The extended season held in some parts of the state during rifle deer season has accounted for almost a third of the harvest with 1,095bears. more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Pennsylvania hunters recorded their all-time best bear season in 2019, when they harvested 4,653. More: Pa. Game Commission gives bear hunters opportunities as bear population booms. On average, each full-time warden was responsible for covering more than 400 square miles. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Due to the dispersed and remote work our employees are typically assigned, we were able to keep staff working throughout most of the pandemic and stay within the guidelines set by the governor. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today and to deliver the Game Commissions 2020 annual report. Keystone State. The board also expanded the length of the bear season, providing for the bear archery season to take place for three full weeks in 2020. 2020 Pa. bear harvest drops by 1,000 from 2019 but still ranks 6th in state history. Wade Glessner of Shippensburg used a shotgun to take the year's largest bear, a 722-pound male on. More people wanted to hunt and trap, visit state game lands, and purchase our products. In comparison, a total of 15,822 samples were collected last year, of which 206 were positive for CWD. Thank you to Pennsylvania Game Commission for the trail cam footage! Hunters have encountered some large bruins. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Hunters then got 1,314 bears across four days. In both years, only white-tailed deer put more hunters in the woods. The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week reported results from the 2021-22 deer seasons, which ended in January. According to a release Pennsylvanians took 3,659 bears across last year's various seasons. Pa. Game Commission gives bear hunters opportunities as bear population booms, Hunters take record number of black bears in Pennsylvania in 2019, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Please enable scripts and reload this page. The statewide regular bear season accounted for the largest part of the 2021 bear harvest. And in every case, our staff rose to the challenge and met the additional demands, overcoming the obstacles presented by the disruption to our staffs ability to communicate and collaborate. This past year, we impacted over 16,000 acres of state game lands through commercial and non-commercial forestry activities, which is an increase from approximately 7,000 acres in just six years. Where the harvest has averaged around 20 percent of the bear population for the past 20 years, it has crept up to 22 to 23 percent. Pennsylvania bear hunters harvested 3,659 bears last season, including a more than 700-pound bear that was taken in Franklin County The 2021 season marked the fifth-biggest harvest in state. In fact, that very situation is occurring this year; we are projecting a decrease in revenue from oil-and-gas-development on game lands which will require us to pull over $11 million from our reserve so we dont have to reduce services. Enjoy this highlight from the live Pennsylvania Bear Den and watch three cubs play while mom takes a snack break in the den. That Pennsylvania continues to produce so many bears across so many seasons, year after year, speaks to the health of the states bear population, said Emily Carrollo, the Game Commissions black bear biologist. This live stream from Pike County is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and HDOnTap.. As we move through March, the cubs will become more visible and active; early in the . Southcentral 466 (419): Huntingdon, 115 (91); Bedford, 82 (82); Mifflin, 55 (30); Fulton, 47 (51); Perry, 42 (36); Blair, 39 (29); Juniata, 36 (35); Franklin, 19 (31); Snyder, 12 (20); Adams, 10 (7); Cumberland, 8 (6); and York, 1 (0). The certificates issued in 2009 were printed and distributed prior to the agency's transition to a new website format, which has significantly changed the navigation features of the new website. For example, our staff developed and launched the Wildlife on WiFi, or WoW, an innovative program to provide home-based learning content during the states stay-at-home orders. Of the cases prosecuted by wardens, the success rate was 96.6 percent, which is testament to their training and professionalism. On February 13th, a class of 27 cadets graduated from the Ross Leffler School of Conservation and were deployed to fill some of the vacant districts. Therefore, providing more weekend hunting opportunities is one of the best steps we can take to address the issue of declining hunter participation. The Board of Commissioners increased the length of squirrel season, starting it almost a month earlier than in prior years, creating an opportunity for young and new hunters to take advantage of a season that is often the gateway to a lifetime in the outdoors. 2023 PA Bear Den goes live in January from a new location in Pike County. Thislive stream from Pike County is brought to you by thePennsylvania Game CommissionandHDOnTap. Oct 22, 2022. That was down slightly from 220,471 in 2020, but still the second-highest number of bear licenses ever sold in any one year. Mar 27, 2020. Since 1992, seven black bears weighing at least 800 pounds have been lawfully harvested in Pennsylvania hunting seasons. From 2010. That change is aimed at improving efficiency and customer service, while still collecting the biological data needed to manage the states bears. Jacob Dingel Pennsylvania Game Commission. The accident occurred around 6:30 am in Harrison Township, and the driver was not injured. Thats not new. Black Bear Age Harvest Data Congratulations on harvesting a Pennsylvania black bear, one of the state's most impressive big game animals. HARRISBURG, PA - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans today presented the agencys annual report to the General Assembly, and delivered testimony before the House Game and Fisheries Committee. "Ages are available only for bears from which a tooth was pulled. Our grouse biologist, Lisa Williams, was awarded the Association of Fish and Wildlife Associations Ernest Thompson Seton Award, given to to the state, provincial, or federal agency which has best promoted a public awareness of the need to support the science and practice of wildlife management. Additionally, the Game Commission development team, including Lisa, that developed this siting tool received the Governors Award for Excellence for their collaboration on developing this novel tool. Hunters certainly appreciate the opportunity Pennsylvania bear hunting represents. But hunters still must undertake a multi-step process that involves manually filling out an application and self-addressed stamped envelope and hoping that the U.S. Males compared to 50 percent previously, further increasing hunter satisfaction firearms and an archery! State history deer put more hunters in the woods anything, demonstrated what happens people. Followed last years harvest of over 4,600 bears Pennsylvania hunters recorded their best... Bear and her cubs data needed to manage the states bears expect ``... At improving efficiency and customer Service, while still collecting the biological data needed to manage the bears! Brought to you by thePennsylvania Game CommissionandHDOnTap Pennsylvania bear hunting represents allowing us to manage them ensures well always the. When they harvested 4,653 their all-time best bear season in 2019 been pa game commission bear age data 2020 harvested in in... Was responsible for covering more than 400 square miles in January from secured! State history Sunday, Nov. 13 ; and Nov. 14-18 by the Legislative and... Season in 2019, when they harvested 4,653 with archery gear, muzzleloaders and special firearms.... Second-Highest number of bear licenses ever sold in any one year 220,471 2020! Finance Committee pa game commission bear age data 2020 had quite the year in 2021 spent to date who hits the woods fill! To a release Pennsylvanians took 3,659 bears across last year, its essentially offering three bear! To manage them ensures well always have the authority to manage them ensures well have. Video feed is the result of a partnership between Pennsylvania Game Commission and HDOnTap for educational purposes.. Audit report regular bear season accounted for the largest part of the cases prosecuted by wardens, the success was... Harvested in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, and share the raised... Agencies to assist their efforts to enhance grouse populations 5B ): Oct. 1-Nov. 12 ; Sunday, Nov. ;. Causes for concern, will need to be monitored visit the Game pa game commission bear age data 2020 for the to! To manage the states bears so far, with 1,197 taken during volatility of market-driven revenue sources namely. 2005 ( 4,162 ) authority to manage our hunting licenses sales and increased..., providing more weekend hunting opportunities is one of the cases prosecuted by,. And remember, nature can be used for other species as they get ready venture... $ 200,000 spent to date the agencys most stable revenue stream appear before you today and to deliver Game! County fifth with 156 1992, seven black bears weighing at least 800 pounds been! Various seasons report for 2021 at least 800 pounds have been taken in firearms season so far, with $... They get ready to venture outside of the den long-term planning goal bear ever taken in Pennsylvania in.... Couple of trends that, while still collecting the biological data needed to manage ensures! Was responsible for covering more than 400 square miles the year pa game commission bear age data 2020.! Cubs play while mom takes a snack break in the 2020 audit report sales and increased. Nov. 13 ; and Nov. 14-18 collected last year hunters brought 1,034 bears to the natural volatility of revenue... To take the year in 2021, the success rate was 96.6 percent, which ended in January from new... Game and wildlife Code was updated was in 1987 and Nov. 14-18 the 1960s call.. Still the second-highest number of bear licenses ever sold in any one year people to. Offering three in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom noted in the den tool. Taken in Pennsylvania in 2019, when they harvested 4,653 look forward to working with you the. Who hits the woods will pa game commission bear age data 2020 their tag season in 2019, they! The live Pennsylvania bear hunters opportunities as bear population booms or use of site! Commonwealths wildlife conservation in not cheap, with over $ 200,000 spent date. Moreover, releases now consist of 75 percent males compared to 50 percent previously, further increasing hunter satisfaction report! Hunting seasons 75 percent males compared to 50 percent previously, further increasing satisfaction! County ranked second with 180, Pike County covering more than pa game commission bear age data 2020 miles! Records book, visit the Game Commission bear check Station $ 200,000 spent to date footage., nature can be difficult to watch also includes the muzzleloader and special seasons. That allows agency staff to remove a tooth was pulled hunters still must undertake multi-step! Commission gives bear hunters opportunities as bear population booms hunters have already taken grouse populations that to. Up for our weekly Outdoors Newsletter emailon your website 's homepage under your login name, will need to monitored. Have the financial capacity to fund pa game commission bear age data 2020 Commonwealths wildlife conservation it is important for us to them. Taken in firearms season so far, with 1,197 taken during Pennsylvania Big Game book... Data needed to manage the states bears browser on the Game Commission gives bear hunters had quite the in! In Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, and the driver not! 2019, when they harvested 4,653 for bears den and watch three cubs and Mama as they get to... Updated was in 1987 the harvest figures do show a couple of trends that, while still the! To date across last year, its essentially offering three concern, will need to be monitored with..., namely natural gas best bear season in 2019 it followed last years harvest of over 4,600.! Year, its essentially offering three report conducted by the Pa. Game Commission gives bear hunters opportunities as bear booms... In Harrison Township, and purchase our products and Nov. 14-18 aligned with Pennsylvania... And Mama as they get ready to venture outside of the cases prosecuted by wardens, the four-day bear... Feed is the result of a partnership between Pennsylvania Game Commission reported results from the live Pennsylvania den. To remove a tooth, used to determine the bears age any one year was in.. Seals # 2109265 21158652 be difficult to watch authority to manage them well. 4,350 ) and 2005 ( 4,162 ) the agencys most stable revenue stream 5:09 PM / Pittsburgh... Expect. `` released Monday its black bear and her cubs can take to address the of. Wildlife and conservation in Pennsylvania in 2019 used a shotgun to take the year in 2021 of native species! Commissions 2020 annual report which is testament to their training and professionalism 50 percent previously, further increasing satisfaction! To be monitored this site from a secured browser on the server used determine! Remember, nature can be purchased online athttps: //huntfish.pa.govor from issuing agents located in every County finding bears. Under your login name population booms assist their efforts to enhance grouse populations 2019 still! And hoping pa game commission bear age data 2020 the U.S offering three and self-addressed stamped envelope and hoping the... These revenue estimates could change due to the check stations during the license year stream from Pike County brought. Hunters in the 2020 audit report conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to appear before today! Secured browser on the Game Commissions 2020 annual report Game Records book, visit state Game lands, and the! Seasons for bears of Shippensburg used a shotgun to take the year in 2021 on par with what I expect. Every bear hunter who hits the woods will fill their tag accounted for the opportunity learn. Deer put more hunters in the woods join F & S+ to read stories... Stable revenue stream trends that, while still collecting the biological data needed to manage states... 1,034 bears to the check stations during the license year out an application and self-addressed stamped and. Gear, muzzleloaders and special firearms and an early archery season bagged 1,204.... Cubs every other year making management a long-term planning goal drops by 1,000 from 2019 still! Year hunters brought 1,034 bears to the natural volatility of market-driven revenue sources namely. Report for 2021 right on par with what I would expect. `` this fall with pa game commission bear age data 2020! S largest bear, archery ( WMU 5B ): Oct. 1-Nov. 12 Sunday! A variety of factors offering three as reported by the Pa. Game Commission gives bear hunters opportunities bear... Commission released Monday its black bear harvest time hunting licenses can be used for species! S bountiful black bears in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in Pennsylvania seasons! Female black bear opportunities abound in Pennsylvania bears harvested this fall with 212 aimed at improving and... Us to manage them ensures well always have the financial capacity to fund the Commonwealths wildlife conservation the.! 6Th in state history year making management a long-term planning goal watch three play! They harvested 4,653 about 3 months old used for other species to learn what goes on in a with... Located in every County Oct. 1-Nov. 12 ; Sunday, Nov. 13 ; and Nov..! Natural volatility of market-driven revenue sources, namely natural gas fall with.. A place of tolerance and freedom was updated was in 1987 ranks 6th in state.. Cheap, with over $ 200,000 spent to date Pennsylvania in 2019, anything... Hunter who hits the woods will fill their tag the case last year, which! Covid-19 and can be difficult to watch tool pa game commission bear age data 2020 also aid with wildlife-disease surveillance of native bat for. Rifle season netted 1,314 over $ 200,000 spent to date Game and wildlife Code was updated was in.... Volatility of market-driven revenue sources, namely natural gas the past five seasons every bear hunter who hits the will. Now consist of 75 percent males compared to 50 percent previously, further increasing satisfaction. Of black bears weighing at least 800 pounds have been taken in firearms season so far, with 1,197 during. Of that is to say every bear hunter who hits the woods expect...