Share their experience with a Pennsylvania bear family:http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2017/10/bear_family_surprises_rock_hou.html, Bear with wanderlust was a traveler to the end. On rare occasions, they will eat animals, Carrollo said, like very young and unprotected fawns. The American Black Bear is a widely distributed North American mammal that holds spiritual significance for many different cultures. 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. Their range begins in Alaska and northern Canada and extends south into central Mexico. Although harvest has greatly increased, it has remained within acceptable limits. 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. The combination of forests and wetlands with sparse human population provides excellent black bear . In 2020, the official bear count estimate was 20,000. Seven bears from Potter, Bedford, Clearfield, Clinton, Luzerne, Centre and Monroe counties were heavier than 600 pounds. They are agile, able to stand and walk erect on their hind feet, capable climbers and strong swimmers. As you can see, black bears are not non-aggressive all the time. 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. And its complicated, A decade after N.J. train derailment, questions linger over rail safety and public health, East Palestine drama students persevere through catastrophic disruption, U.S. Steel reaches tentative settlement with Allegheny County, groups over air pollution following 2018 fire, https://www.alleghenyfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AF081321_RF_Bears.mp3, Frogs and Salamanders Get a New Habitat at Ohiopyle State Park. Black bears seem to be heavy, yet they are surprisingly agile, capable of running up to 35 mph, climbing trees, and swimming well. Ever since yogi and boo boo discovered that first picnic basket at jellystone park bears have been eager to accept human handouts. Black bears, of which there are an estimated 20,000 in Pennsylvania, are roaming across nearly all the state. (412) 697-2933, Emily Carrollo is the Pennsylvania Game Commissions black bear program specialist. Pennsylvania's black bear population was much smaller in the 1970s, according to Carrollo. This increase in bear numbers and range, however, has also brought an increase in conflicts with bears. Carrollo pulls out her tranquilizer dart gun, takes aim at the bears thick shoulder muscles, and pulls the trigger. Through interactive state and county maps for the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, each page provides a snapshot of change from 2010 to 2020 on five topics. The 500-pound black bear killed in a collision with a Honda Pilot on Wertzville Road in Silver Spring Township on April 8 is just one of 400 to 500 bears likely to die on Pennsylvania roadways this year. The 2018 bear harvest came in at 3,153 bears, 11th-best all-time, but also the lowest bear harvest in the past 11 years. Although there's no guarantee that your bear won't stop by during the day. He was tagging along with Mark Ternent, bear biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who explained, "Every year cubs are born in the first really cold weather of the winter. We will update this experience, including the 2010-2019 estimates, when the Bureau releases county-level 20102020 intercensal estimates by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Pennsylvania's bear population has grown and spread over the past 40 years. Even though they are named black bears, their colors can vary from black, blue-grey, cinnamon, brown, blue-black, and on infrequent occasions, a black bear can even be white. Our goal was to offer more hunting opportunities and prevent Pennsylvanias bear population from increasing, noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. They have an acute sense of smell, relatively poor vision and hearing thought to be close to that of humans. None have increased by more than 6%, with Cumberland County topping the list at 5.09%, closely followed by Centre County at 5.06%. Are they everywhere in the state? Theres plenty of resources for them. Southwest (342): Somerset, 123; Fayette, 61; Armstrong, 56; Indiana, 42; Cambria, 29; Westmoreland, 28; Allegheny, 2; and Greene, 1. The largest bear taken in Pennsylvania in the 2022 hunting season was a 755-pounder in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County. Video below: May 2022 - bear spotted near a busy grocery store in Lancaster County. This diet also includes beetles, ants, and bees. Other top counties . Population in Bear Creek by Race and Ethnicity. 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. The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875-pound bear in 2010 in Pike County. Contiguous woods with bogs, marshes, mountains, and a well-established forest understory make up prime bear habitat. In recent years the Pennsylvania Game Commission has estimated the statewide bruin population at about 20,000 animals, and this year the agency is predicting another solid season for hunters. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Theres plenty of food. It weighed 875 pounds. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In the first 11 days of this hunting season, 212 bears have been harvested in Lycoming County. Bear numbers in the state are down a bit in recent years, but there are still plenty of them. Black bears usually enter their dens sometime between early November and mid December. lack bears are extremely docile, she says. Although most Pennsylvania bears are black, a small percentage of them are cinnamon-colored. Additionally, theyre almost always perpetrated by young adult males in the late summer or fall. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, Emily Carrollo takes the temperature of a smaller bear. Cory Bennet, of Tom's River, New Jersey, took it with a muzzleloader on Oct. 15. Bears that were eating around 8,000 calories per day start taking in up 20,000 calories per day when they enter hyperphagia. The overall total bear population for Pennsylvania is estimated by the Game Commission to be 15,500 bruins. Across Pennsylvania, 11 bears topped 600 pounds. Two counties in the state of Pennsylvania have populations of more than one million. A small population of bears also live in other eastern Massachusetts communities along Route 495. Every decade, the Bureau reconciles these estimates and releases final data. I think I startled it, he said about the close encounter in thick Mountain Laurel and brush. See. Bears were harvested by hunters in 58 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties last season. Last fall, 215,219 hunters bought bear licenses resulting in 3,621 animals being killed in 59 of the states 67 counties. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, Emily Carrollo is the black bear biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Only 9 of the contiguous U.S. states dont have breeding black bear populations. She estimates hes about six or seven years old, and in a couple of years, could weigh 500 pounds. Our library of stories about bears should answer any question you might have. 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. Human population at last census: 101,407 Berks County 2017 bear kill: 7 2016 bear kill: 2 Square miles: 866 Human population at last census: 411,442 Lebanon County 2017 bear kill: 8. Those are from fighting with other males because its breeding season, Carrollo says. This bear had an official measurement of 23-10/16. A number of other counties in Pennsylvania, while not quite as large, still have substantial populations. With ample food availability, Pennsylvanias bears are able to grow to their full genetic potential. Between 2010 and 2021, the state grew by an average of 0.2% per year. Their average height is around 30 inches at the shoulder. On the other hand, bears have expanded their range and now thrive in 50 of Pennsylvanias 67 counties. Seven bears from Potter, Bedford, Clearfield, Clinton, Luzerne, Centre and Monroe counties were heavier than 600 pounds. They may scavenge for food in dumpsters at rest stops, restaurants, campgrounds, and in garbage cans at homes. That count went down to 16,268 in 2021, and now, in 2022, the black bear population in Pennsylvania is 15,666 animals. It has afflicted mammals around the world for centuries. Tagging the bears to create a census will also help guide management decisions to limit human and bear interactions. These provisional estimates are postcensal estimates, and the final estimates are intercensal estimates. USAFacts used the final intercensal estimates for 1970 through 2009 and the provisional postcensal estimates for 2010 and after. Here's a look at last year's harvest, from the lowest bear kill to the highest. It weighed 275 pounds at the time it was caught in August six years ago. The latest preliminary bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit are: WMU 1A, 20; WMU 1B, 156; WMU 2A, 11; WMU 2B, 2; WMU 2C, 285; WMU 2D, 184; WMU 2E, 82; WMU 2F, 338; WMU 2G, 710; WMU 2H, 110; WMU 3A, 260; WMU 3B, 424; WMU 3C, 223; WMU 3D, 488; WMU 4A, 303; WMU 4B, 191; WMU 4C, 248; WMU 4D, 367; WMU 4E, 135; WMU 5A, 25; WMU 5B, 1; and WMU 5C, 13. Black bears are typically found across about 75 percent of Pennsylvania, however, there have been confirmed sightings in every county, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. That changed after the state placed limits on bear hunting. A stable population of bears occurs on the Fort Drum Military Reservation in Jefferson County. During this time, juvenile males will be more likely to roam as they are looking for to territory to establish themselves and, of course, females to mate with. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, This males paw measures 6 inches across. They are generally non-aggressive. Hunters on Nov. 27, the final day of Pennsylvanias statewide bear season, harvested 113 bears, raising the 2019 statewide general-season harvest to 1,611. The first is defensive, and the second is predatory. It is the only state on our list where the population has fallen. Lycoming County led the state with 283, followed by Clinton County with 267 and Tioga County with 261. 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. In those cases, the animal is often euthanized because they cannot change their eating habits. Field studies from across the United States, including Pennsylvania, show that predators - notably coyotes, bears, and bobcats - prey on white-tailed deer. Pennsylvania bear population Black bears are typically found across about 75 percent of. Predation and Deer Population. Carrollo pulls out her tranquilizer dart gun, takes aim at the bears thick shoulder muscles, and pulls the trigger. Of course none of these tips will guarantee smooth sailing bears like people are individuals and some are more trouble than others. These animals are still dangerous apex predators. While the 2017 kill was down compared to 2016's harvest of 3,529, it nevertheless was among the top 10 bear harvests on record for Pennsylvania. For more than 60 years the family has hunted in the mountains around the camp, one generation after the other. A great deal of the state's population is in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas, as the city has a population of 1.56 million. Keep all food or empty containers that have had food in them out of your vehicles. However, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission bear specialist Emily Carrollo, there is no reason for concern. At this time of year, bears are going through a hyperphagic stage where they are packing on fat prior to going into their winter dens. County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2022. Black Bear numbers have increased substantially in Pennsylvania, from around 4,000 in the 1970s to around 18,000 today. The current population is believed to be around 18,000, yet there were fewer than 5,000 in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. 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. The extended season is intended to reduce bears where conflicts have significantly increased. http://www.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2016/04/could_you_survive_a_pennsylvan.html, http://www.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2017/11/black_bear_in_pennsylvania_how.html, http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2010/01/what_triggers_hibernation_in_p.html, http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2018/05/mange_epidemic_in_pennsylvania.html, http://www.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2016/04/what_are_your_chances_of_hitti.html, http://blog.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2014/09/bucket_bear_freed_of_its_bucke.html, http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2017/10/bear_family_surprises_rock_hou.html, http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2017/11/bear_with_wanderlust_was_a_tra.html, http://blog.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2016/01/baby_black_bears_being_born_al.html, http://www.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2018/04/how_many_bears_did_pennsylvani_2.html, http://www.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2017/11/wheres_the_best_bear_hunting_i.html, http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/11/black_bear_pennsylvania_huntin.html. Its also a bad idea to store your pet food outside. The following tips will make your property less attractive to wandering bears. Far behind in terms of population are Pittsburgh (304.391), Allentown (120,207), Erie and . These were the only categories included before 1990 for the available data. Any wild bear in Pennsylvania will be a black bear, though. Then, in 2011, a record harvest of 4,350 bears occurred, which remains today the largest kill on record. Below, well learn more about Pennsylvanias black bears, including their habitat, food, and other fascinating facts. They really want nothing to do with people.. PennLive.com has covered everything about bears in Pennsylvania for many years. 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. Bountiful Black Bears. The black bear's scientific name is Ursus americanus, which means "American bear." And although there are three species of bears in North America, many wonder if there are bears in Pennsylvania.In 2015, the population of bears in the state was around 20,000. For example, the largest bear ever recorded in Lancaster County a 550-pounder was live-trapped at Leola and relocated to Stony Valley in Dauphin County last week. Once they're in, they'll hibernate for around 100 days, or slightly over three months. A percentage of those 3,659 were tagged bears. Thank you for reading! Today, almost three times as many hunters are harvesting bears - with considerably less travel required to reach them - than 30 years ago. Massachusetts: 4,500. . Corrected numbers for the general season appear below. Black bears have large, more pointed ears than other bears. Its extremely rare, but sometimes these hyperphagic bears see humans as a potential food source. This category cant be compared prior to 2000. Leading counties and area counties: Lycoming County finished with 284 bears to take the top county bear harvest. Photo: Reid R. Frazier / The Allegheny Front, A tag is placed in each ear to identify the bear if it is captured again, or taken during the bear hunting season. Since 1992, seven black bears weighing at least 800 pounds have been lawfully harvested in Pennsylvania hunting seasons. Southcentral (172): Huntingdon, 52 (78); Bedford, 37 (54); Fulton, 21 (35); Perry, 19 (14); Blair, 16 (22); Juniata, 8 (16); Mifflin, 8 (10); Franklin, 6 (14); Cumberland, 3 (4); and Adams, 2 (5). Bad weather negatively affected hunting conditions on key hunting days. The state has breeding populations in the western counties of Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, and Washington. In most of the state, were going from 14 or 16 days of bear hunting to 32, from three Saturdays to seven, and we started hunting bears almost two weeks earlier.. By law, Pennsylvania hunters have to bring every bear that they bag to a checking station operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Reid is currently contributing to StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration among The Allegheny Front, WESA, WITF and WHYY covering the Commonwealth's energy economy. Take a look at an effort to understand the mange epidemic in Pennsylvania bears:http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2018/05/mange_epidemic_in_pennsylvania.html. The less than 1 and 1 to 4 groups for the 1990 and 2000 censuses were combined to create a consistent 0 to 4 group across all available data. With an estimated 18,000 black bears wandering across most of Pennsylvania, your odds of seeing a bear are higher now than at any other time in the states history. These counties are in mountainous, forested regions that are ideal for black bears. Visit a Pennsylvania bear check station:http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/11/black_bear_pennsylvania_huntin.html. 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