New York’s bear hunters took 1,715 black bears during the 2015 hunting seasons, the second largest bear harvest on record in the state. Only the 2003 harvest of 1,863 bears is larger.
Hunters took 1,132 black bears in the Southern Zone, approximately the same as in 2014, but about 30 percent greater than the recent five-year average take. Most bears (596) were taken during the regular season, followed by the bow season with 327 bears.
Hunters took 192 bears during the early season, a decrease from 2014, but a significant portion of the total bear harvest. In those WMUs that have an early bear season, 36 percent of the total number of bears taken in those WMUs occurred during the early season.
In the Northern Zone, a total of 583 bears were harvested, 27 percent above the recent five-year average. Based primarily on cyclers of food availability, bear harvest in the Northern Zone tends to alternate between strong harvests during the early season one year followed by strong harvests during the regular season the next.
This year, hunters were more successful during the regular season, taking 253 bears, with 183 bears taken during the early season.
A complete summary of the 2015 bear harvest with results and maps by county, town, and WMU is available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.
Hunters, who play a pivotal role in bear management through reporting their bear harvests, can also submit a tooth sample from their bear for DEC to determine the age of harvested bears. For details, visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html.
All hunters who report their harvest and submit a tooth, will be sent the DEC provides a NYS Black Bear Cooperator Patch and a letter informing them of their bear’s age. DEC is still processing tooth submissions from 2015 and expects to mail patches mid September 2016.