2015 offers another bright outlook for bears
2015 offers another bright outlook for bears
By Tyler Frantz
Pennsylvania is home to one of the most impressive black bear populations in the nation- estimated somewhere around 18,000 bears. Because of this, a large number of sportsmen- 173,523 license holders last year, to be exact- annually venture forth in pursuit of the treasured big game animal.
Though many regard bruins as the Keystone state’s ultimate trophy, less than three-percent of hunters actually enjoy the fortune of harvesting one. Bagging a bear is doable, but it really comes down to being at the place at the right time. Many faithful bear hunters have gone a lifetime without a filled tag to show for it.
Despite the low odds of success, though, bear hunting has been pretty impressive lately. Annual harvest figures have eclipsed 3,000 bears for the past seven years, including an all-time record harvest of 4,350 bears in 2011. Last year’s harvest of 3,366 bears ranked seventh best in state history.
The largest 2014 bear, taken in Warren County, by James M. Hultberg, of Pittsfield, weighed an estimated 677 pounds. In fact, 41 of the state’s bears weighed in at more than 500 pounds.
On top of this, bear hunting opportunities have been liberally expanded to include archery seasons, with 170 bears taken by bow last year. A four-day rifle season and extended concurrent deer/bear seasons in select WMUs give hunters even more opportunities to pursue the elusive ursids.
Even with longer seasons, however, many more bears survive than are taken by hunters each year. As a result, their population continues to hold steady as they resourcefully expand to different areas of the state. In fact, bears were harvested in 56 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties last year; that number seems to keep growing. The Northcentral region still reigns supreme as PA’s premier bear-hunting destination. Running harvest totals place Lycoming, Tioga, Clinton and Potter counties well above other locations in the state. Even the region’s runner-up counties of McKean, Centre and Clearfield all bode extremely well for sportsmen.
The Northeast region ranks second best in the state, according harvest totals, with Pike, Wayne, and Luzerne counties leading the pack. Northwest’s Warren, Southwest’s Somerset, Southcentral’s Huntington, and Southeast’s Schuylkill are also county leaders for their respective regions.
Hunters looking to increase their odds of bagging a bear, regardless of region, should focus on available food sources and heavy cover, since that is where bruins will most likely be found bulking up in anticipation of winter hibernation. Fortunately, in most areas of the state, food availability looks promising this fall.
In forested areas, acorns, beechnuts and late season berries are favored by the large omnivores. Find an abundance of these autumn staples in close proximity to dense laurel, hemlocks or clear cuts, and bears will not be far away. Hunt the benches where as much of a hillside can be observed as possible. Bears will travel between these natural bands of cover and can move at any time of the day.
Where available, apple orchards or standing corn are also hot draws for bears since they provide such a rich dose of carbohydrates. Look for bear trails, which are generally a bit wider than deer trails, leading to and from these areas. Be ready for action first thing in the morning as bears wander to bed on sunny bluffs after a busy night of raiding the easy access grocery aisle.
Swamp country can also be an effective area for locating bear sign. Some of the state’s largest bears in recent years have come from the Poconos, where swamp thickets dominate. If fresh bear droppings can be located near a prime transition area with decent access, consider using a climbing tree stand and stick things out. Bears bumped from other areas will predictably retreat to the comforting sanctuary of a dense swamp where a silent hunter awaits.
Hunting with a gang is also a popular option. If one can team up with a hunting camp or other group of bear hunters working together in organized fashion to move bruins through heavy cover, the chances of seeing a bear drastically improve. These groups often share the harvest, and the team approach can be a lot of fun. It’s likely that this style of hunting has yielded more shots at bears than any other method.
Remember, bears have an incredible sense of smell, so take every precaution to remain as scent-free as possible. Wash garments in scent-neutralizing detergent, store them in a plastic tote and dress in the field. Try to hunt downwind of anticipated travel routes, and consider using cover scents to mask human odors. It’s easy to fool a bear’s eyes, but not his nose.
It’s also important to have a solid field removal plan in place if you do buck the odds and tag a bear. Most public lands do not allow motorized vehicles, so prepare for a great deal of manual labor.
Hunt with a partner or several partners, because it’s a difficult task getting a bear out by yourself- perhaps even impossible if the bear has any size to it. Wheeled game carts can be a lifesaver in flat terrain, as can a sturdy rope and come-along, used for hoisting a bear up a steep hillside.
Having lugged three of my own bears off the mountain, as well as helping with several others for friends and family, I know full well the importance of having good friends to share the burden. Even weight distribution is key; so is shedding unnecessary layers of clothing.
Send one person ahead with excess equipment and gear to scout openings in the trail ahead while the others drag. Take breaks when necessary, and always have someone ready to shoot incase another bear shows up on the way out. Trust me, it can happen.
There’s no doubt that the best days of bear hunting are taking place in our current generation. This is as good as it gets, so get out there and scout. Find the food and cover, find the sign, and you might just find the bears. Who knows… maybe YOU can be part of that lucky three-percent.
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