🐻 Pennsylvania hunters check in more than 900 bears

[GOYABEAN]

😲 Pennsylvania hunters check in more than 900 bears including one weighing near 700 pounds

With several Pennsylvania black bear seasons happening, hunters have shot more than 900 bears already this fall, including five weighing more than 600 pounds.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports as of Tuesday morning, the largest bear harvested this year was a 678-pound live weight boar that was shot with an in-line muzzleloader on Oct. 24 in Bradford County. The statewide muzzleloader season was held Oct. 24-26.

Hunting history:Massive bear shot in the Poconos in 2010 caused controversy. See why

The largest archery bear so far is a 615-pound estimated live weight boar harvested Oct. 22 with a crossbow in Dauphin County. The statewide archery season continues through Nov. 9 and in Wildlife Management Units (WMU) 2B, 5C and 5D it continues through Nov. 28. WMU 5B archers can pursue bears until Nov. 22.

The heaviest bear taken during the special firearms season Oct. 24-26 was a 575-pound actual live weight boar harvested on Oct. 26 in Union County. This rifle season was open only to junior and senior hunters, active military and certain disabled persons with permits.

More:Two bear experts explain what hunters need to do to preserve, enjoy bear meat

As of Tuesday morning, 930 bears were checked by the Game Commission. Every successful hunter is required to have their bear inspected by the agency.

Clinton County recorded the most bears at 76, Lycoming with 49, Tioga has 46, Monroe documented 42, and hunters checked in 40 Potter County bears.

The top five heaviest bears are 678 pounds in Bradford County, 673 pounds in Westmoreland County, 642 pounds in Luzerne County, 628 pounds in Monroe County and 615 pounds in Dauphin County.

The agency reports last year’s largest bruin was a 691-pounder taken in Pike County by Mitchell Jonathan, of Quakertown. Five other hunters got bears exceeding 600 pounds, and each of the top 10 heaviest bears weighed at least 576 pounds.

Bear hunters have additional opportunities to hunt this fall. The regular statewide firearms season will be held Nov. 23-26. Extended season for bears will held Nov. 30-Dec. 14 in WMUs 2B,5B, 5C and 5D and Nov. 30-Dec. 7 in WMUs 3A,3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E and 5A.

Last year, hunters in Pennsylvania harvested 2,920 bears including at least one from 58 of the state’s 67 counties.

https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/...g/75915427007/

[Qtrborecrazy]

Had a bear on camera in my backyard just 5 days ago. Now skunks are another story, every freakin night I*ve got them digging in my lawn.

[Daycrawler]

Yesterday I picked up my bear license. So far at my cabin I have seen one bear. One of our local friends has bear at his property cameras. I'll be taking my Remington 770 and S&W 500 for a walk in a few short weeks. Hopefully the weather holds out and the bear stay moving. Any other pike county hunters here in the Promised land area?

[bogey1]

Is that a lot? Man I hope they don't kill all of them. Most dont even eat the meat I hear, they just leave it for the animals.

[Palerider]

Is that a lot? Man I hope they don't kill all of them. Most dont even eat the meat I hear, they just leave it for the animals.

Over the last few years PA hunters have bagged between 3,000 and 4,500 bears per year.

[Here4now]

Over the last few years PA hunters have bagged between 3,000 and 4,500 bears per year.

They’re not going to kill them all, bogey. The estimated population in PA is 15,000 – 18,000. I doubt many leave the meat to the animals. I’ve only killed one PA bear but I thought the meat was quite good.

[RockIsland]

They*re not going to kill them all, bogey. The estimated population in PA is 15,000 * 18,000. I doubt many leave the meat to the animals. I*ve only killed one PA bear but I thought the meat was quite good.

That's not surprising if you like the smell of skunks.

[Here4now]

That's not surprising if you like the smell of skunks.

[Tripper]

It's the fat that stinks. The meat is quite tender and tasty. The problem may be finding a shop to butcher for you.
On the last day of the early season, one of my gang had three bears walk right up to him while deer hunting. Had a clear 15 yard shot at the biggest one but no license. None of us do. We all figure at our age any bear we would shoot stands a good chance of getting revenge via heart attack while dragging it out of the woods! I personally decided long ago that I do not want to shoot a bear. Too much work, too much expense getting a rug and head mount, and besides, they remind me of some of the dogs I've owned.

John

[Tripper]

Double post. Please delete.