Hunters up, harvest down for PA black bears
The black bear harvest declined to a 10-year low, according to state data, despite a dramatic spike in interest among hunters during that same time.
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The black bear harvest declined to a 10-year low, according to state data, despite a dramatic spike in interest among hunters during that same time.
State data reveals that the black bear harvest in Pennsylvania hit a 10-year low despite heightened interest among hunters. The Pennsylvania Game Commission disclosed that 2,920 bears were harvested during the 2023 seasons, marking an 8% decrease from the 3,171 bears taken in 2022. Although the peak was observed in 2019 with 4,650 bears harvested, […]
Williamsport, Pa. — Pennsylvania's black bear hunting season continues to attract a growing number of hunters, with a record-breaking 206,124 participants in 2023 compared to fewer than 130,000 in 2003,
The total number of bears taken was 2,920, which was down from the 2022 total of 3,170. Bears were taken in 58 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
Pennsylvania had fewer than 130,000 bear hunters in 2003. In 2023, it had 206,124. That total - the fourth-highest ever - marked the fifth year in a row that bear license sales topped 200,000. White-t...