The total number of bears taken was 3,170, which was down from the 2021 total of 3,621. Along this line, you should also store indoors and clean and disinfect your garbage cans regularly. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, Emily Carrollo takes the temperature of a smaller bear. Pennsylvanias black bear population was much smaller in the 1970s, according to Carrollo. Statewide season harvests by county and region are: Northwest (238): Warren, 67 (59); Clarion, 38 (41); Venango, 35 (78); Forest, 27 (55); Jefferson, 26 (69); Butler, 21 (19); Crawford, 19 (59); Mercer, 4 (13); and Erie, 1 (18). Each side has two molars on top and three on the bottom. Pennsylvania's black bear population peaked about four years ago, estimated at over 20,000 bears, and stayed that way until 2020, when it began dropping. Any comparison of data from before 1990 only includes the white, Black, and Other race/ethnicity categories. Southeast (39): Dauphin, 18 (26); Schuylkill, 14 (20); Berks, 6 (1); and Lebanon, 1 (7). Human population at last census: 1,223,348. How many bears did Pennsylvania hunters kill in 2017? http://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/05/have_you_seen_the_camp_hill_be.html, Bears on move across Pennsylvania, backyards included. For now, its clear hunters have set a record bear harvest, a direct result of increasing opportunity in 2019. Bears were taken in 58 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Pennsylvania's population increased 7 out of the 11 years between year 2010 and year 2021. Heres a guide to all those stories. Here is how they accomplish this. Several initiatives have been implemented to help address this trend. lack bears are extremely docile, she says. The "Bucket Bear" of Perry Township, Clarion County, is free. You might get bears that get fed a few times from people at a campground and then all of a sudden that bear is approaching every other person that visits that campground, Carrollo said. We are biologists, but in reality, were mostly managing peopleto be able to interact with wildlife. Thats why the census is important. A percentage of those 3,659 were tagged bears. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Its largest annual population increase was 1.5% between 2019 and 2020. The largest bear through all 2020 seasons was the 719-pound male taken with a crossbow on Nov. 7 in Ayr Township, Fulton County. However, the number of hunters taking advantage of this extended season is increasing, so we will continue to closely monitor the bear population and annual harvests. However, bear abundance and distribution have expanded dramatically in recent decades, and bears are now seen in record numbers across much of the state. Pritts is looking forward to the meat: I like it better than beef. The American Black Bear is a widely distributed North American mammal that holds spiritual significance for many different cultures. For the majority of people, though, who dont live on a large acreage, the best thing to do is to store your grease drippings and food waste in the refrigerator until the day of your garbage pickup and then throw it away just before the garbage truck comes. Last fall, 215,219 hunters bought bear licenses resulting in 3,621 animals being killed in 59 of the states 67 counties. Southwest (342): Somerset, 123; Fayette, 61; Armstrong, 56; Indiana, 42; Cambria, 29; Westmoreland, 28; Allegheny, 2; and Greene, 1. Black bears have large, more pointed ears than other bears. You know, they try and walk up and feed black bears because they think its cute. Its also a bad idea to store your pet food outside. Pennsylvania hunters take three 700-pound-plus bears in 2022, Well, it probably can't be labeled cheap entertainment, but watching the ever changing cast of feathered characters at your feeders is a great stress reliever until your little feathered friends turn into large furry ones. The same area typically saw a harvest of 265 bears per year, when the season lasted only three days. Leading counties and area counties: Lycoming County finished with 284 bears to take the top county bear harvest. The . With an estimated 18,000 black bears roaming across most of Pennsylvania, your chances of encountering a bear in the state are greater than at any other time over the past several hundred years. Lycoming County led the state with 283, followed by Clinton County with 267 and Tioga County with 261. A black bears biting force (975 PSI) is powerful enough that it may kill numerous species by digging its 2.5-inch fangs into a crucial spot. Source. Pennsylvania's black bear population was much smaller in the 1970s, according to Carrollo. The combination of forests and wetlands with sparse human population provides excellent black bear . Deer hunters are more likely to look for game in areas that traditional bear hunters overlook, such as small woodlots or areas adjacent to homes. Black bears, of which there are an estimated 20,000 in Pennsylvania, are roaming across nearly all the state. How many of them are out there? Black Bear numbers have increased substantially in Pennsylvania, from around 4,000 in the 1970s to around 18,000 today. Population Growth of Black Bears Black Bear numbers have increased substantially in Pennsylvania, from around 4,000 in the 1970s to around 18,000 today. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, Emily Carrollo is the black bear biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Today, almost three times as many hunters are harvesting bears - with considerably less travel required to reach them - than 30 years ago. So she has learned to deal with it. For example, Pennsylvanias bear harvest in 2021 was 3,659 bears. Lets say that 4.46% of the harvested bears had ear tags in 2021, and the total amount of tagged bears was 700. we would next need to ascertain what number 700 is 4.46% of. PennLive.com has covered everything about bears in Pennsylvania for many years. His award-winning work has also aired on NPR, Marketplace and other outlets. His paws measure six inches wide. Montgomery County (820,656), Bucks County (626,751), and Delaware County (563,995) are all in the top five most populous counties in the state, and census statistics show that each of these have also had population increases of between 0.21% and 2.46% in recent years. The record bear harvest of 2005 was the result of several factors: increased opportunity, increased participation, near-record bear populations and great bear-hunting weather. Record bear license sales also have contributed: license sales currently exceed 200,000; previously they have held at highs between 170,000 and 175,000. None have increased by more than 6%, with Cumberland County topping the list at 5.09%, closely followed by Centre County at 5.06%. Southwest (123): Somerset, 35 (57); Armstrong, 32 (26); Indiana, 27 (31); Fayette, 15 (39); Cambria, 9 (16); Westmoreland, 4 (14); and Greene, 1 (0). See. He wanted to wait until the weather warmed up before heading out to the woods about noon. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, Emily Carrollo prepares for tagging and taking measurements and samples from a captured black bear. The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder . Adult black bears are anywhere from 50 to 85 incheslong from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Reid is currently contributing to StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration among The Allegheny Front, WESA, WITF and WHYY covering the Commonwealth's energy economy. Have some feedback for us? Bears were taken in 59 counties. A dramatic growth has provided more opportunities for people to see bears, which is an experience many treasure, and bear hunting has greatly improved. The Game Commission estimates that there are about 18,000 bears in the state. She estimates hes about six or seven years old, and in a couple of years, could weigh 500 pounds. The large black bear that was captured in Lancaster County and relocated to Stony Valley in Dauphin County in June has followed its enthusiasm for travel to the bitter end. According to Dustin Stoner, who is an Information and Education supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, many times when you have a nuisance bearroaming your property, it will be during mating season, which runs from the end of May through early July. On the other hand, bears have expanded their range and now thrive in 50 of Pennsylvanias 67 counties. Where's the best bear hunting in Pennsylvania? "Surely it's hard for some to imagine that Pennsylvania has such a vibrant black bear population," noted Tom Keller, the Game Commission's Game Mammals . Two counties in the state of Pennsylvania have populations of more than one million. Black bears lack the shoulder hump that brown bears or grizzly bears have. Black bears are the unrivaled apex predator in the keystone state. Southeast (179): Schuylkill, 75; Dauphin, 66; Northampton, 15; Lebanon, 2; Berks, 17; and Lehigh, 4. This increase in bear numbers and range, however, has also brought an increase in conflicts with bears. Then, in 2011, a record harvest of 4,350 bears occurred, which remains today the largest kill on record. This is a rather big drop. With the help of his friends, it took about five hours to move the bear out of the woods. The per capita income in Bear Creek, Pennsylvania is $43,036.00. Keep all food or empty containers that have had food in them out of your vehicles. The American Geode team's search for great rocks on Saturday, October 7, was unexpectedly interrupted, when a mother black bear and her three cubs appeared out of the Forest on the opposite side of Route 15, near Cogan Station. Below, well learn more about Pennsylvanias black bears, including their habitat, food, and other fascinating facts. The bears skull measurement was23-3/16 inches. Ken Nichols of Lemont Furnace, Fayette County, killed his first bear about 50 yards away with two other bears while hunting Saturday in Forbes State Forest. The city of Philadelphia is coterminous with Philadelphia County, the municipalities having been consolidated in 1854, and all remaining county government functions having been merged into the city after a 1951 referendum. Prime bear habitat is abundant in Pennsylvania. As you can see, black bears are not non-aggressive all the time. While a black bear may appear adorable going into a hot tub or swimming in a pool, there are some precautions you should take to keep yourself and your pets safe. They give ear tags and lip tattoos to these bears as a way to help them estimate the overall black bear population. I'm Jack Hubley News eight. The Pennsylvania firearms hunting season for bear opens Saturday, November 17, and speculation is running high on whether this will be the year that hunters top the existing record of 4,350 bears harvested in 2011. The 2010-2020 postcensal estimates are known to underestimate the population by about 1% nationally. What triggers hibernation in Pennsylvania black bears? Here are the details on "Bucker Bear:"http://blog.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2014/09/bucket_bear_freed_of_its_bucke.html. The state has breeding populations in the western counties of Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, and Washington. The good news is you are almost certain to survive the encounter. They really try and avoid any kind of conflict with people, they look at us as a threat. The seven top harvests all have occurred since 2005. Heres a look at the rambling bears of Pennsylvania: http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2017/06/bears_on_move_across_pennsylva.html, If you do run into a bear, here's how to survive. Although they have become common in many new areas of the state where they previously were largely unknown, they continue to be spotted in new locations. The extended season is intended to reduce bears where conflicts have significantly increased. The largest bear through all 2019 seasons is the 813-pound male taken with a rifle on the opening day of the general season in Smithfield Township, Monroe County, by Victor M. Vassalluzzo, of Kintnersville. As of 2018, both of these counties have grown their populations since the last census, with Philadelphia County increasing by 3.04% and Allegheny County by a more modest 0.30%. This is a rather big drop. Any comparison with the 1990 census to newer data will include the white, Black, and two categories added that year: American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian or Pacific Islander.. Longbow hunter describes his encounter with massive black bear in Bedford County, Hunters find three bears weighing more than 700 pounds as rifle seasons soon get underway, Here's your complete guide to the 2022 PA deer hunting season, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Also, here are the harvest numbers by county from 2016, as well as the size of each county and the number of humans living there. In 2002, this extended season occurred in Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties. Average adult black bears can range from 140 to 400 pounds. Successful bear hunters are required to have the Game Commission check their trophy animals. Monroe County: 114 bears. There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The bears, if left alone, arent dangerous. In addition to the bears harvested by hunters, the Game Commission has received reports that 639additional black bears were killed this year by motorists. And, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, bears in Pennsylvania appear to be experiencing a higher rate of mange than their cousins in neighboring states. This page features files containing county population totals and components of change for years 2020 to 2022. If they do, the statewide bear harvest will not be spread uniformly across all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, several of which have seen no bears taken by hunters in modern times. A black bear chased a dog into a Perry County home in 2011 and then attacked and injured the couple . After weighing each bear, a tooth is pulled, which is used to determine the age of the bear. ROME (AP) Authorities in northern Italy have captured a bear that fatally mauled a runner and became the focus of a battle over what to do with Italy's growing brown bear population. Their average height is around 30 inches at the shoulder. Other top counties . The heaviest black bear ever harvested came from Pike County, Pennsylvania. Carrollo, the Pennsylvania Game Commissions black bear biologist, can tell instantly that the animal is a male a dead giveaway are the scratch marks on his face. She is peering into a bear trap at a large black bear. When you do that, you create a situation that is beyond your control. 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