Hunters killed 986 black bears on Saturday, the first day of the 4-day firearms hunting season for bear across Pennsylvania.

Hunters killed 1,241 bears on the first day of last year’s firearms season, which eventually contributed to a total bear harvest for 2018 of 3,153 bears, which was the 11th top bear harvest in state history. The top year was 2011, when 4,350 bears were harvested.

But in new early hunting seasons this year — an October 19-26 muzzleloader season, an October 24-26 season for junior and senior hunters, and October 28-November 9 archery season — hunters had already harvested 1,871 bears.

That means the total bear kill after the first day of the firearms season this year stands at 2,857.

The largest bear killed to date this year are one weighing 813 pounds taken in Monroe County in the firearms season; 747 pounds, Luzerne County, firearms season; 631 pounds, Clarion County, non-archery early seasons; 630 pounds, Schuylkill County, archery season; 623 pounds, Clinton County, firearms season; 620 pounds, Centre County, firearms season; 610 pounds, Monroe County, non-archery early seasons; 610 pounds, Susquehanna County, archery season; 604 pounds, Clinton County, firearms season; 601 pounds, Northampton County, non-archery early seasons.

The top harvest counties this year so far are Clinton, 210 bears harvested; Lycoming, 185; Tioga, 182; Potter, 130; Luzerne, 102; Pike, 98; Warren, 95; McKean, 87; Elk, 86; and Monroe, 86.

With those new early season added in 2019, many observers are wondering if a harvest record could be set this year, when hunters have double the number of statewide bear-hunting days available to them.

The firearms season continues through sunset Wednesday, and 2 extended bear seasons of varying lengths in selected wildlife management units will begin Saturday, which is also the first day of the firearms hunting season for deer.

The state has maintained a substantial bear population of about 20,000 the past 4 years, despite hunters removing more than 17,000 bears from the statewide population over the past 5 years.

“It’s hard for some to imagine Pennsylvania has such a vibrant black bear population,” noted Matt Lovallo, the Game Commission’s Game Mammals Section Supervisor. “But bears are incredibly adaptable. They can fit in almost anywhere that offers them cover and reliable food sources. It’s why bears are found in more places in Pennsylvania than any time in the Game Commission’s existence.”

Last year, bears were taken in 60 of 67 counties. Hunters have connected with bruins in 56 counties to date this year.

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