Hunters shatter state bear record

HARRISBURG - Hunters shot a new state record 4,123 black bears in the state’s recently concluded bear season, according to the preliminary reports by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The statewide three-day bear season, which ran Nov. 21-23, saw a record 3,331 bears harvested. The extended bear season in five Wildlife Management Units and the Rockview State Correctional Institution in Centre County, which ran Nov. 28- Dec. 3, added an additional 794 bears, bringing the new state record to 4,123. “We will be closely examining the harvest data once a complete review is conducted by our bear biologist, Mark Ternent,” said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. “We will be working to determine the harvest rate this season, so that we can finalize our 2006 bear season recommendations for the Board of Game Commissioners to consider at its upcoming meeting in January. “This harvest greatly exceeded our expectations, but is a testament to the size, reproductive success and range our of bear population.” DuBrock also noted that the agency will issue an official bear harvest report once all bear harvest reports are reviewed. For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: www.pgc.state.pa.us/.