Bear harvest lower than previous years

HARRISBURG, PA — After two days, the Pennsylvania bear harvest was running below the levels reached in the previous few years. At that time, the preliminary harvest was estimated at 1,638, as compared with 2,185 during the first two days of last year. In 2005, when the state record bear harvest was set, agency personnel processed 2,875 bears on the first two days of season; 2,262 in 2004; 2,299 in 2003; and 2,022 in 2002.

These harvest numbers do not include the results of the state’s archery bear hunt, which was held in certain Wildlife Management Units on November 14 and 15. Those results became available on November 28, after this paper went to press.

“The statewide two-day bear harvest continues to be slow, but large bears are being taken and favorable hunting weather remains in the forecast for the last day of season,” said Mark Ternent, Game Commission bear biologist.

So far, the top 10 bears processed at check stations through Tuesday all had estimated live weights that exceeded 500 pounds.

Rare albino bear bagged

A rare albino black bear was shot Monday, the season’s opening day, by Tom Wisniowski of Spring Mills on the season’s opening day. The female cub weighed 47 pounds. Wisniowski was hunting in Centre County.