Southwick Associates, the folks who do yearly surveys on hunting and fishing preferences, has released their recent October Hunter/Shooter Survey showing the most popular hunting, shooting equipment purchases by sportsmen and sports gals, and the species they pursued. 

The panel, composed of hunters and shooters from across the country who volunteer to participate, track hunter’s/shooters’ participation and purchases for the prior two months. 

The survey begins with the most popular species hunted. As expected, whitetail deer with 71.3 percent of respondents say they pursue. That’s followed by small game (rabbits/squirrels), 21.5 percent; upland birds (quail, pheasant, grouse) 18.7; dove, 14.6; turkey, 13.3; predator calling/hunting (coyotes), 12.5; mule deer, blacktail, Sitka, 10.9 percent. 

The next category was the percentage of and type of hunting equipment used: Rifle, 70.0 percent; handgun, 57.5; shotgun, 26.6; bow or archery, 17.2; crossbow, 9.2; muzzleloader, 8.2; air rifle (compressed air), 7.7 percent. 

Percent of firearms purchased were rifles, 54.5 percent; handguns, 45.5; shotguns, 16.7; air rifles/air guns, 3.8; muzzleloaders, 3.5 percent.

Types of shotguns purchased were pump action, 46.2 percent; semi-automatic, 26.7; over/under, 11.4; side by side, 3.2; single shot, 8.2; other, 4.2 percent.

Types of muzzleloaders purchased: Inline 69.5 percent; standard, 15.9; flintlock, 9.6; other, 5.1 percent.

Types of handguns purchased: semi-automatic 63.2 percent; revolver, 34.2; break action, 2.0; not sure, 0.6 percent.

Types of ammunition purchased: Rifle ammunition, 57.8 percent; handgun ammo, 44.8; shotgun ammo, 39.0; air rifle/air gun pellets, 2.4 percent.

Types of shotgun ammo purchased: Lead, 65 percent; non-lead/non-toxic, 32.1; other 2.4; not sure, 0.5 percent.

Types of archery items purchased: Broadheads, 47.1 percent; crossbow bolts, 26.8; arrows, 21.7; strings & accessories, 17.3; nocks, 13.6; fletching’s, 13.3; stabilizers, 12.0; archery targets, 10.2; crossbows, 7.5 percent. 

Types of traditional bows purchased: Compound, 72.1 percent; recurve, 23.5; long bows, 3.7; other, 0.6 percent.

Types of hunting gear purchased: Odor eliminator, 36.1 percent; lure scent, 34.7; game feed, 29.5; hunting knives/multitools, 21.9 trail cameras, 18.7; cover scent, 16.4; game calls, 13.1; game cleaning supplies, 12.9 percent.

Types of decoys purchased: Waterfowl, 72.80 percent; turkey, 4.70; predator, 4.90; big game, 17.60 percent.

Types of game calls purchased: Waterfowl, 35.90 percent; big game, 50.2; small game, 6.7; predator, 2.6; other, 0.5 percent.
sed: Ladder stands, 29.3 percent; climbing, 16.8; hang-on, 31.2; tripod stands, 6.4; tower/box stands, 5.7; ladder and steps, 8.1; harnesses & accessories, 2.5 percent.

Equipment purchases were as follows: Ammunition, 68.4 percent; hunting accessories, 40.3; clothing and apparel, 37.1; shooting accessories, 33.4; firearms, 28.7; firearm accessories, 25.8; archery, 20.8; firearms storage (safes), 20.4; optics, 18.3; hand loading equipment, 11.7; blackpowder, 8.4 percent.

The majority of these findings follow true for Pennsylvania hunters with the exception being crossbows that would be expected to score higher in the respective categories.  

A fishing survey is upcoming from Southwick which we’ll publish in a future column. 
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With temperatures predicted to be in the low 60s, it’s the ideal time to think about summer and the upcoming camping season. And no better way to get ready for it is to visit this weekends 59th Annual RV & Campground Show at the Agri-Plex in the Allentown Fairgrounds. It’s one of the oldest running RV shows in the country. 

This year’s show will feature 13 dealers featuring motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel, vans, folding campers, pop-ups and more. 

And showcasing their latest offerings will be All Seasons RV, Berks-Mont RV, Fretz RV, Fast Lane Recreation RV, Campers Inn RV, Miller Trailer Sales, Pocono RV, RV Value Mart, Stolzfus RV, Susquehanna RV, Tom Schaeffer’s RV and Ziegler’s RV. 

Aside from the vehicles, representatives from a variety of campgrounds will be on hand to offer their services along with Anderson’s Campground Directory booth that provides information on over 100 campgrounds on the East Coast. 

In addition to filling up the 60,000 square feet of indoor space in the Agri-Plex, the show will also have a host of RVs outside for your inspection. 

Show hours are as follows: 

Friday, Jan. 10; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 12; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission is $7 for adults, Children under 12 are free as is parking.  Allentown Fairgrounds is located at 17th & Chew Sts in Allentown. 
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For additional information check www.allentowntradeshows.com or call 610-433-7541. 

Although we were getting some below freezing temperatures, safe ice fishing is still some cold days away. And what seems like far too many rainy days, also prevents anglers to walk on water. 

But as happens every year at this time, ice fishermen have to travel to the Pocono’s to find hard water. Places like Shohola, Promise Land, Gouldsboro, Tobyhanna and Fairview lakes usually freeze first. 

According to local tackle shops, Promised Land (had seven inches of ice) and Shohola (had 4-6 inches) lakes have had some ice fishing action on panfish and pickerel on minnows, waxworms and spikes. 

If below freezing temperatures continue for a week or more, Leaser Lake in upper Lehigh County and Ontelaunee Reservoir in upper Berks historically freeze next. However, two weeks ago Ontelaunee had two inches of precarious ice and a few anglers were fishing it. 

It’s been tradition, it seems, that first and last ice of the season offers the best ice fishing periods. So now’s a good time to gather up your tip-ups, jigging rods, skimmer, ice auger and whatever else you use, to check their condition before hitting the early season ice. 

On your jigging reels and tips-ups, it’s best to discard the old line on your rigs and put on some fresh mono or braid. Or, try some of the mono made especially for ice fishing that doesn’t become stiff in frozen water. Berkley’s Trilene makes Cold Weather or Micro Ice and Fireline’s Micro Ice Crystal is also good and allows for maximum sensitivity in deep water. 

To improve your chances of getting bit, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission offers these tips for finding specific species. 

WALLEYE: Because they are a schooling fish you want to intercept their cruising by spacing your tip-ups at intervals in a straight line from shore. Avoid weedbeds and look for clear bottoms. Of course a portable depth finder could help here. Use small hooks and light sinkers. Walleyes are notoriously light biters and will often hit a bait as it descends. .

PIKE & PICKEREL: Because of oxygen depletion and scarcity of food, these fish are not likely to be found near submerged vegetation in winter as they are in summer. Don’t overlook fishing open water and employ jigging with spoons. Whatever the bait, let the fish take it and avoid depths greater than 15 feet (can be measured with a marked drop-line and sinker). 

PANFISH: Panfish too are schooling fish that travel slowly so the action usually lasts longer. Use light tackle and small, size 12 or 14 hooks impaled with grubs or waxworms. A little trick I learned from Jeff Heller, former owner of Pro Am Fishing Shop in Kuhnsville, is to use a high-low rig for perch. Tie one lighter jig onto your line then tie an 18-inch piece of line to the bend of that hook. At that terminal end, tie on a heavier spoon or jig. Don’t, however, use a swivel to tie this extra piece as it’ll probably tangle. Bait the lower one with a minnow, the higher one with a waxworm. It’s not uncommon to get two perch on at a time. 

BASS: Bass metabolism is much slower during winter so they feed much less. Slowly bouncing bait in front of their noses is usually the only method that works as does fishing more varied structure. Look for rocky points and gravel bars near deep water. 

Above all, be careful and check the ice before venturing onto it. Stay away from areas where cracks meet or intersect. Be extra careful where water levels vary as in rivers, streams, inlets, outlets, coves, eddies and springs. And areas with “stick ups” of  protruding logs, brush, plants and docks that absorb heat from the sun, which weakens surrounding ice. Last but not least, you’ll probably find thicker ice on a waterway’s north, rather than on the south shore.
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With the ski/boarding season heating up, Blue Mountain Resort is kicking off January promoting safety on the slopes. 

“We will be highlighting aspects of the Skiers Safety Responsibly Code through promotions and interactions with our Ski Patrollers. The push of Safety Week is to create awareness that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. This week of safety activities and education is part of Blue Mountain’s participation in the National Ski Area Associations efforts to educate skiers and snowboarders about being safe on the slopes,” said Ashley Seier, Blue Mountain Marketing Manager. 
 
On January 6th – 12th & 17th – 19th guests can participate in the following Safety Week Programs:

Chair Lift Simulator: Practice safe chair lift loading, riding, and unloading on our moving Safety Chair Simulator.

Bars for Bars: To promote keeping the safety bar down while riding the lift, Ski Patrol will be handing out candy bars to guests spotted riding our chair lifts safely. 

Scavenger Hunt: School Groups are encouraged to participate in our mountain wide scavenger hunt. Anyone who completes the scavenger hunt by collecting hole punches from ski patrol will receive a free lift ticket.

Safety Video Contest: Guests can create and submit a safety video highlighting a safety aspect of the Skiers Responsibly Code. The winner of the contest will be selected on Blue Mountain’s Facebook page. Winners will receive a free lift ticket and $25 gift card.

Retail Discounts: Shoppers will receive 10% off protective gear in our True Blue Mountain Sports Shop.
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SIG SAUER, Inc. has debuted a first in their rifle line-up. Their Cross rifle is the first SIG-built precision bolt-action hunting rifle that was designed by SIG SAUER engineers. It was  completely manufactured and machined at the SIG SAUER facilities in New Hampshire, and tested by premier competitive shooters, the world’s best long-range shooters, and a team of professional hunters that the CROSS is built for.

The Cross takes on a Modern Sporting Rifle (AR) design, but uses a bolt instead of a semi-auto mode. As such, it qualifies as a legal rifle to hunt with here in Pennsylvania where semi-auto (AR types in particular) rifles are illegal to use for hunting. 

Cross crosses the line in this respect and if the anti’s and bad politicians manage to outlaw ARs, the Cross should not be included. Cross appears to have all the fine attributes of lightness and flexibility with sighting systems that AR type rifles have. 

Said SIG’s Chief Marketing Officer and V.P. Tom Taylor, “When our product management team and engineers researched developing a bolt-action rifle, they looked at what was missing from the market, and what new innovation SIG could bring to hunters and precision shooters. Hunting rifles are typically focused on less weight, and accuracy is secondary. Precision rifles are designed for extreme accuracy, with no weight limitations. What was missing from the market was a true crossover. Our product management team and engineers took the best of both worlds and developed the CROSS featuring the characteristics of a hunting rifle, with the accuracy of a precision rifle.”

The CROSS Precision Bolt-Action Hunting Rifle is a lightweight precision rifle with a push button, foldable SIG precision stock, a one-piece aluminum receiver that eliminates the need for bedding the action, and AI magazines for creating the most accurate precision hunting platform. The CROSS features a stainless-steel rifled barrel with a free-float M-LOK handguard, a 2-stage match-grade trigger externally adjustable from 2.5 – 4 lbs., ambi-safety, a three-lug bolt design with a 60-degree throw and interchangeable bolt handle. The precision stock is spring-loaded for one handed operation and can be fully adjusted in the field for length of pull and comb height with no tools. The rifle has a full-length replaceable picatinny rail that allows for direct optics mounts, 20 MOA, and O MOA. The CROSS is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 WIN, and the soon-to-be-released 277 SIG Fury Hybrid Ammunition with a black anodized or First Lite camo finish.

“Right out of the box the CROSS comes loaded with new innovation and features that hunters and precision shooters will appreciate at a very affordable $1,779.00 MSRP price point,” continued Taylor. “The CROSS delivers on all fronts, and we are especially proud that everything about the CROSS from concept to completion is 100% SIG SAUER and comes directly from our U.S. operations here in New Hampshire.”

CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle Specs (6.5 Creedmoor):
  Overall Length: 35.5”
  Folded Length: 27.0”
  Barrel Length: 18”
  Barrel Twist: 1:8
  Weight (w/o magazine): 6.4 lbs.
 
CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle Specs (308 WIN / 277 FURY):
  Overall Length: 36.5””
  Folded Length: 25.0”
  Barrel Length: 16”
  Barrel Twist: 1:10 / 1:8.5
Weight (w/o magazine): 6.2 lbs.

Expect more calibers to follow once Cross gets used in the field by savvy hunters. 
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The snows are back. No, not a snowstorm, but a large flock of Snow Geese have made their way to Lehigh County from their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra.  

On Saturday, Dec. 14, a flock of about 500 snows descended like snow flakes on a cut cornfield belonging to GEO Chemicals (formerly Trojan Powder Company) on the west side of Mauch Chunk Road and across from the intersection of Mechanicsville Road. The snows’ nasal honking can easily be heard if lowering a window in your vehicle. This is my first sighting of them in the area, but they may have put down elsewhere in the valley. 

These particular snows landed amidst a small flock of Canada geese that were foraging for leftover corn spewed from harvesting machines. And further down the road a bit, were probably an equal number of Canada’s in a cut cornfield but on the east side of Mauch Chunk Road. 

As for snows, the season in the North Zone runs from Nov. 19-Jan. 11. For the South Zone, it runs Nov. 19-Jan. 18. In the Atlantic Zone, the split seasons run Oct. 1-Jan. 25, then reopens Jan. 27-Apr. 24. The seasons are long because they need to be culled, say biologists, as their burgeoning populations are decimating the grasslands of the tundra. In other words, the snows are eating themselves out of house and home. And local farmers who plant winter wheat detest snows because they can devour a wheat field in a few days with their foracious appetites.

Here are some interesting facts you may not know about Snow Geese:

* In wintering and migrating flocks that are feeding, lookouts keep an eye out for predators. Upon sighting a threat, they call out to the rest of the flock, which may take flight. 

* Snow Geese make epic journeys by air, but they are impressive on foot, too. Within the first three weeks of hatching, goslings may walk up to 50 miles with their parents from the nest to a more suitable brood-rearing area. Molting Snow Geese can outrun many predators.

* Females forage up to 18 hours a day once they arrive at breeding grounds, but eat little once they begin incubating the eggs.

* Food passes through the Snow Goose’s digestive tract in only an hour or two, generating 6 to 15 droppings per hour. The defecation rate is highest when a goose is grubbing for rhizomes, because such food is very high in fiber and the goose inevitably swallows mud. 

* The oldest Snow Goose on record, shot in Texas in 1999, was 27 and a half.

* Snow Goose hunting in the eastern United States was stopped in 1916 because of low population levels. Hunting was allowed again in 1975 after populations had recovered. Since then, their populations have continued to grow, to the point that some areas of tundra nesting habitat are starting to suffer.

Hunting these extremely wary birds is tough. Hunters usually have to employ at least 50 decoys or more, or white cloths on sticks stuck into the ground, to lure them into range. And the geese are unpredictable as they may be in a particular field one day and another the next. The daily limit on them is 25 daily, with no possession limit. 
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If you have an unfilled buck or doe tag, you still have another deer hunting opportunity when the post holiday late archery, flintlock and extended firearms season gets underway. The latter, however, is only open in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and it closes Jan. 25. 

As for archery, the season ends Jan. 20 statewide except in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D which closes Jan. 25. 

The flintlock season also closes Jan. 20 except in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D that has a Jan. 25 closing date. 

For those who have filled their deer tags, there’s still small game to hunt. For squirrels, pheasants and rabbits, their season begins Dec. 26 and runs until Feb. 29. There’s also snowshoe hare, the neat white (in winter) rabbits with larger feet and longer ears than a cottontail. They also have a short hunting season that ends Jan. 3 and carries a one rabbit daily limit with three in possession. The reason for this is because of their small population and that’s primarily due to habitat loss and predation by foxes, coyotes, bobcats, weasels and some hawks and owls according to the PGC. They also succumb to diseases, parasites and of course hunting. 

The snowshoe hare has a brown coat in summer that turns white in winter. It gets its name because the bottoms of their toes and soles are covered with course hair that grows long in winter making snowshoes of sorts. That allows them to support their bodies in deep snow and gives them traction on icy crusts says the PGC. 

Unlike most cottontails, snowshoe hares prefer a mix of deciduous forests with conifers and and escape cover like rhododendron and mountain laurel. They can also live in swamps where cedar, spruce or tamarack grow. Hares will take to dense stands of aspen or poplar mixed in with pines. In Penn’s Woods, they’re usually found in high country with ridge tops, mountains, high swamps and plateaus.

And they are fast when spooked. They can run up to 30 mph on ground or snow and can leap 10 feet in one bound. Like cottontails when they are chased, hares run in circles but make a larger circle than a cottontail.  

If I was ever lucky to get one, I’d take the meat then have it mounted because they are far and few between. If you feel the same, here are some words of advice from Bob Danenhower of Bob’s Wildlife Taxidermy in Orefield. 

According to Danenhower, hare’s skin is very thin, and because of that, they’re very difficult to mount. He cautions to be careful not to inadvertently cut it at several places because it’s tough to sew the holes because of its thinness. Danenhower also says, “Before field dressing it, try not to get blood on the fur as it’s a devil to get out. Place a paper towel in its mouth to absorb any blood and hang it from its hind legs so any liquid can drain through its nose.” Good advice from a seasoned pro who has mounted a good many of them over the years. 
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From On the Water Magazine comes this press information from  fishery managers. 

Approved were new regulations for the 2020 recreational bluefish fishery. These measures, which include a 3-fish bag limit for private anglers and a 5-fish bag limit for for-hire fishermen, represent a substantial reduction compared to the federal 15-fish bag limit that has been in place since 2000.

The most recent assessment of the Atlantic bluefish stock concluded that the stock is overfished. In October, managers called for an 18% decrease compared to 2019 and considered several combinations of bag limits and minimum size limits. Although the Bluefish Monitoring Committee recommended a coastwide 3-fish bag limit, the majority of comments from the public and Bluefish Advisory Panel (AP) members expressed opposition to this option, noting that it would have severe economic consequences for the for-hire sector, which was only responsible for 3.6% of coastwide landings from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, AP members and the public emphasized that these proposed reductions come at a challenging time for for-hire stakeholders as they are also facing new restrictions on striped bass, black sea bass, summer flounder, and scup.

After an extensive discussion and thorough consideration of public comments, the Council recommended and Commission approved a 3-fish bag limit for private and shore modes and a 5-fish bag limit for the for-hire mode. No restrictions were made to minimum fish size or seasons.

“For many years, bluefish has been one of our most abundant recreational fisheries,” said Council Chairman and ASMFC Board member Mike Luisi. “The Council and Commission are fully committed to the effective conservation and management of this stock, but we also recognize that a sudden change in regulations could have severe socioeconomic consequences for some stakeholders. After evaluating a wide range of options and considering numerous comments from the public, we feel that this approach is the most fair and effective way to achieve the necessary reduction in harvest next year.”

After an extensive discussion and thorough consideration of public comments, the Council recommended and Commission approved a 3-fish bag limit for private and shore modes and a 5-fish bag limit for the for-hire mode. No restrictions were made to minimum fish size or seasons.

“For many years, bluefish has been one of our most abundant recreational fisheries,” said Council Chairman and ASMFC Board member Mike Luisi. “The Council and Commission are fully committed to the effective conservation and management of this stock, but we also recognize that a sudden change in regulations could have severe socioeconomic consequences for some stakeholders. After evaluating a wide range of options and considering numerous comments from the public, we feel that this approach is the most fair and effective way to achieve the necessary reduction in harvest next year.”

And the following are comments from On the Water subscribers:

  RK 17 hours ago: In Europe, pretty much every country has gone to a management model where there are a handful of giant factory ships with access to almost all of the fish harvested and recreational fishermen can catch next to nothing to take home.?Fisheries managers seem to be going that way here now.

  Mike O’Mara 17 hours ago: Good luck getting this across to the shore snapper fishermen, and expecting them to comply.

  Tom 17 hours ago: So this pertains to snappers as well? 3 snappers per person?

  Tommy Strzepek 16 hours ago: All the new restrictive limits on recreational fishing will
  decimate the for hire fishing boats.

  Not many folks will spend 80 or 90 dollars to go fish on a boat when the number of fish they can take is a few blues or a few flounder .

  I believe the fish stock is cyclical and the biggest culprit in this equation is the commercial fishery. 

  JOHN 16 hours ago: Many years ago I remember seeing the giant foreign fishing ships cleaning out our water along NJ. Almost close enough to read the name of the ship from shore. Remember doormat flounder and the cod my dad used to get too. Its gone now,,we need to conserve or we’ll never see it again.

  Greed isnt the answer,,so the big money guys need to be inline too.

  GB 16 hours ago: Interesting that an 18% reduction is requested but we end up with an 80% one. Strange math at work here.

  Mark 16 hours ago: 18% ? How the heck will that help? Why don’t they just admit there going to continue to let the bluefish be overfished. What a joke. 

From the OutdoorHub website, its reporters just posted this inspiring story.

During an era with fewer and fewer hunters heading into the woods, an elementary school in a small Maine town is embracing its hunting traditions, and we are fully on board!

At Whitefield Elementary, students aren’t concerned about posting their hunting photoson social media because there’s a large bulletin board hanging in the hallways where kids can post photos of themselves with bear, moose, turkey and deer that they’ve harvested.

Students K-8 are all allowed to hang pictures on the board, which multiple faculty members claim has brought the community closer. Even the teachers get involved in the fun!

“I like the bulletin board,” says Caleb Bishop. “If we kill a big deer or or a big bear, we’re able to talk around to our friends.”

There is one stipulation. Due to the school’s ‘zero weapons’ policy, photos hung on the board cannot feature any firearms, bows or other weapons of any kind.

“We started our bulletin board a few years ago and kids were posing with guns and their game, physical education teacher Jamie Simpson told News Center Maine. “We have a no-weapons policy at school. So the kids were also taking their photos without their weapons so they could still have their photos posted.”

And there’s some pretty impressive hunters walking the halls at Whitefield Elementary! In fact, two seventh graders have already accomplished grand slams – which means they harvested a deer, bear, turkey and a moose IN THE SAME YEAR.

Olivia Brann is the latest to complete the impressive feat, with Caleb being the only other seventh grader to do it.

“A lot of people think because I’m very ballet and I like to dress up and stuff in dancing when I say I’m a hunter, people are like ‘Wow!'” she said.

Students also compete in a contest each year for the hunter with the biggest buck. Last year, Olivia’s nine-year-old sister Cassidy won the contest with a massive ten-point buck.
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I

In their next to final bear harvest report, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said Pennsylvania hunters set an all-time bear harvest this season. 

During the final day of Pennsylvania’s statewide bear season, hunters took 565 bears, raising the 2019 statewide general-season harvest to 2,063.

That adds to an early season harvest of 1,335, which increases the 2019 total bear harvest to 3,398, not including the extended bear season that kicked off this past Saturday in 16 Wildlife Management Units.

However, none of the bears taken on the final day of the statewide season cracked the Top 10 list for heaviest bears.

The largest bear through all 2019 seasons continues to be 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.

Other large bears taken in the 2019 general season – all taken with a rifle – include: a 747-pound male taken in Wright Township, Luzerne County, by J. Kripp Jr., of Mountaintop; a 696-pound male taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, by Brian J. Borosh, of Jim Thorpe; a 657-pound male taken in Franklin Township, Columbia County, by Nicholas A. Podgurski, of Elysburg; a 656-pound male taken in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, by Dale J. Kobal, of Hunlock Creek; a 623-pound male taken in Beech Creek Township, Clinton County, by Mikael J. Catanese, of Sewickley; a 620-pound male taken in Miles Township, Centre County, by Reuben Kennel, of Turbotville; and a 604-pound male taken in Gallagher Township, Clinton County, by Steven Z. Rohrbach, of Lock Haven. 

The top bear-hunting county in the state over the general season was Lycoming County with 136 bears. It was followed by Tioga County with 131 bears. 

Locally in the Southeast Region, the tally is as follows: 

Schuylkill County, 75; Dauphin, 66; Northampton, 15; Lebanon, 2; Berks, 17; and Lehigh 4. 
Expanded hunting opportunities provided by new special-firearms and muzzleloader bear seasons and an expanded archery bear season, have helped increase the 2019 bear harvest. Record bear license sales also have contributed. License sales currently exceed 200,000 which previously have held at highs between 170,000 and 175,000. And the statewide bear population at the start of the bear-hunting seasons was about 20,000 bears.

“It’s the largest suite of bear-season changes ever approved in a single year,” explained Matt Lovallo, agency Game Mammals Section supervisor. “In most of the state, we’re going from 14 or 16 days of bear hunting to 32, and from three Saturdays to seven. As such we started hunting bears almost two weeks earlier.”

The additional days and increased number of bear hunters appear to have made a significant difference. Great weather on peak hunting days also helped.

The final bear harvest numbers will most likely be available in February 2020, but they shouldn’t increase significantly. 
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