Pennsylvania bear hunters have set a new Pennsylvania bear harvest record. Although bear take numbers are continuing to come in from some of the state's Wildlife Management Units, the numbers that have come in certify that a new record bear harvest has been taken. The total so far is 4,577 and this number of bears surpasses the 2011 previous record take of 4,350.

Expanded hunting opportunities provided by new special firearms and muzzleloader bear seasons and an expanded archery bear season have helped to make this year's record breaking bear take. Record bear license sales also have contributed, license sales have exceeded 200,000, previously/ they have held at highs between 170,000 and 175,000.

PA Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said, “Our goal was to offer more hunting opportunities and prevent Pennsylvania's bear population from increasing. The response from hunters to the expanding seasons and the success they enjoyed afield were exciting to see.”

In a state (PA) with 12 million residents, concern about additional bear population gains compelled the Game Commission earlier this year to double the number of statewide bear hunting days, creating the states lengthiest bear hunting opportunity since the 1930s.

Matt Lovallo, Agency Game Mammals Section supervisor stated, “In most of the state, we went from 14 or 16 days of bear hunting to 32, from three Saturdays to seven, and we started hunting bears almost two weeks earlier.”

The largest bear that was taken during the 2019 season was a 813-pound male taken with a rifle on the opening day of the general bear season. The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875 pounder harvested in 2010. Seven black bears weighing at least 800 pounds have been harvested during all PA bear seasons.

COYOTE CONTEST!

The Sportsmen's Federation coyote contest will be here before you know it. If you are going to participate in this statewide coyote hunt, please get your coyote applications in as soon as possible.

We still have a fine selection of t-shirt sizes and caps. Go to the Federation's website for applications and instructions how to order t-shirts and caps www.SportsmensFederation.com or call 845-482-4987.

Hope all had a Merry Christmas and wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

jack danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.