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Sportsman Outdoors

PA's bear report!

Jack Danchak
Posted 3/3/23

The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced the finalized 2022 statewide bear harvest. 3,170 were taken, it was down from 2021 when 3,621 were taken, but still enough to rank the bear harvest as the …

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Sportsman Outdoors

PA's bear report!

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced the finalized 2022 statewide bear harvest. 3,170 were taken, it was down from 2021 when 3,621 were taken, but still enough to rank the bear harvest as the 14th largest of all time. 

Hunters in 2022 took bears in 58 of the state’s 67 counties, and notably the harvest was spread out more evenly than ever before. Hunters took 737 bears in the archery season, 712 in the muzzleloader special firearm season, 1,051 in the general season and 663 in the extended season. Another seven (7) were taken in the early bear season. 

The Game Commission’s black bear biologist Emily Carrollo said, “Our season structure allows hunters to pursue black bears across multiple months, using multiple tools, when opportunity best matches up with their availability. They can hunt when they have the time off work or school or other responsibilities, which is good for them and helps us reach our management objectives.”

In 2022, 213,639 bear hunters participated, 203,922 were Pennsylvania residents and 9,717 were non-residents. This was the third most ever hunter participation in a Pennsylvania bear season. 

The heaviest bear taken in 2022 was a 755- pounder. There were three (3) taken in the 700lb class and 11 that were in the 600lb class. 

The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in 2010. Since 1992, seven (7) black bears weighing at least 800lbs have been lawfully harvested in Pennsylvania’s bear hunting seasons.

PA’s Mosquito Creek Coyote Contest

Just received a brief summary of Pennsylvania’s Mosquito Creek Sportsman’s coyote contest: A total of 4,419 hunters were registered in the contest, and 269 coyotes were brought in for a payout of $17,754 at $66 per coyote.

First place received $8,838 for taking a coyote weighing 53.55 lb. Second place $5,302.80 for a 49lb coyote. Third place $3,535.20 for a 48.2lb coyote. The largest female coyote taken 47.9lb earned a check for $8,838.00. 

This is the largest coyote contest held in the state of Pennsylvania.

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