HARRISBURG, PA — Ten years ago, hunting black bears was almost a cult-like activity amongst outdoorsmen in Pennsylvania. However, as of 2023, black bear hunting has exploded in popularity, reshaping the landscape of Pennsylvania’s hunting scene.
Pennsylvania saw a colossal increase in bear hunters over the past two decades. Back in 2003, the state had fewer than 130,000 bear hunters. Fast forward to 2023, and the count rose to an impressive 206,124. This figure, the fourth highest ever, marks the fifth consecutive year that bear license sales in the state have exceeded 200,000. Nowadays, white-tailed deer are the only species attracting more hunters in the state’s woodlands.
Despite the surge, hunters remain successful in their pursuit. The previous year saw them harvest a total of 2,920 bears. While this figure is a slight dip from the 3,170 bears hunted in 2022, it makes sense, considering the Game Commission’s decision to eliminate the extended bear season in five Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). These units, namely WMUs 1B, 2C, 4A, 4B, and 4D, had typically contributed to a boost in the bear harvest.
Emily Carrollo, the Game Commission’s Black Bear Program Specialist, confirmed, “The overall decrease in the harvest is primarily due to the removal of the extended season in these five WMUs.”
The bear harvest was widespread across Pennsylvania. Fifty-eight out of the state’s 67 counties reported at least one bear hunted, as did 20 of the 22 WMUs. The traditional statewide firearms bear season accounted for the majority of the harvest with 1,086 bears. The archery season added an additional 695, the extended season 591, the muzzleloader season 424, the special firearms season 117, and the early archery season brought in 7.
Among the bear population, several truly magnificent specimens were successfully harvested. The standout of the hunt was Mitchell Jonathan, hailing from Quakertown, who proudly claimed the largest prize – a whopping 691-pound behemoth. Additionally, five other skilled hunters managed to bag bears that surpassed the 600-pound mark. In fact, the top 10 heaviest bears recorded weighed in at no less than an impressive 576 pounds each.
Tioga County led the pack, giving up 176 bears last season. Following closely behind in the top 10 were Lycoming County with 170, Potter County with 155, Pike County with 142, Bradford County with 138, Luzerne County with 135, Monroe County with 127, Wayne County with 124, Clinton County with 108, and Carbon County with 101 bears.
With an increase in the number of hunters and a reduction in the available WMUs for extended hunting, the dynamics of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania have undergone significant changes. Despite these shifts, one thing remains evident – the state’s hunters continue to display unwavering loyalty and remarkable success in their hunting endeavors. This suggests that Pennsylvania’s black bear hunting tradition, which was once confined to a small niche, is now transitioning into a new era marked by a surge in sporting popularity and a broader participation across different demographics.
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