HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission preliminary bear harvest figures show that 3,023 bears were checked by agency personnel at official check stations during the first three days of the ongoing four-day statewide season (Nov. 19-23).
Last year, in a three-day season with a Saturday opener, 2,815 bears were harvested.
So far, the state's incomplete bear harvest of 3,023 preliminarily ranks as the seventh highest statewide harvest. However, bears taken in the five-day statewide bear archery season (Nov. 14-18) and to be taken in the upcoming extended bear seasons in certain Wildlife Management Units will increase this preliminary statewide bear harvest total. The two largest total bear harvests were recorded in 2005 (4,164 bears taken) and 2009 (3,512).
Preliminary total bear harvest figures, including the ongoing extended bear seasons, are expected the week of Dec. 5. Official total bear harvest figures for all seasons won't be available until early 2012, after a thorough review of all bear harvest reports.
The preliminary three-day bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 12; WMU 1B, 51; WMA 2A, 2; WMA 2B, 1; WMU 2C, 186; WMU 2D, 134; WMU 2E, 60; WMU 2F, 305; WMU 2G, 953; WMU 3A, 295; WMU 3B, 320; WMU 3C, 92; WMU 3D, 222; WMU 4A, 69; WMU 4B, 57; WMU 4C, 71; WMU 4D, 157; WMU 4E, 34; WMA 5A, 1; and WMU 5B, 1.
The top 10 bears processed at check stations, so far, all had estimated live weights that exceeded 629 pounds. Jonathan E. Byler, of Ulysses, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that weighed in at 746 pounds (estimated live weight). The bear was taken in Ulysses Township, Potter County, at 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 19.
Fact Box
County harvests
County bear harvests by region for the first three days are:
Northwest: Warren, 109; Forest, 81; Venango, 49; Jefferson, 39; Clarion, 35; Crawford, 14; Butler, 9; Erie, 6; and Mercer, 6
Southwest: Somerset, 66; Armstrong, 60; Fayette, 55; Cambria, 27; Indiana, 21; Westmoreland, 20; and Allegheny, 1
Northcentral: Potter, 274; Lycoming, 268; Tioga, 241; McKean, 186; Clinton, 158; Elk, 142; Clearfield, 136; Cameron, 92; Centre, 88; and Union, 24
Southcentral: Bedford, 51; Huntingdon, 51; Mifflin, 27; Juniata, 21; Blair, 16; Fulton, 13; Perry, 11; Snyder, 9; Franklin, 8; and Cumberland, 2
Northeast: Sullivan, 120; Wayne, 95; Pike, 86; Monroe, 50; Luzerne, 48; Bradford, 45; Susquehanna, 32; Wyoming, 26; Carbon, 24; Lackawanna, 16; Columbia, 11; and Northumberland, 1
Southeast: Dauphin, 24; Schuylkill, 17; Lebanon, 10; Northampton, 1; and Lehigh, 1
After three days of the four-day season, the top bear harvest county in the state remained Potter with 274. Other counties rounding out the top five are: Lycoming, 268; Tioga, 241; McKean, 186; and Clinton, 158.
