PRELIMINARY BEAR HARVEST RESULTS 2014

The first day of Pennsylvania’s statewide bear season resulted in a harvest of  1,623 black bears, according to preliminary totals released Monday by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Archery and other early bear season harvest data still is being entered into the GameCommission’s database, and is not available at this time.Bears have been harvested in 52 counties during the statewide season so far.

The top 10 bears processed at check stations by Monday were either estimated or confirmed to have live weights of 540 pounds or more.

The largest of those bears – a male estimated at 677 pounds – was taken in Pittsfield Township, Warren County, by James M. Hultberg, of  Pittsfield, Pa.

Other large bears include: a 623-pound male taken in West Buffalo Township, Union County, by Fred F. Stoltzfus, of Lewisburg, Pa.; a 598-pound male taken in Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, by Jeffrey L. McClymonds, of Slippery Rock, Pa.; a 574-pound male taken in Tyrone Township, Blair County, by Ray E. Golden, of Tyrone, Pa.; a 560-pound male taken in Black Township, Somerset County, by Derek J. Wheeler, of Uniontown; a 559-pound male taken in Delmar Township, Tioga County, by K.L. Sarangoulis, of Reading, Pa.; a 558-pound male taken in West Branch Township, Potter County, by Colton P. Group, of Landisburg, Pa.; a 557-pound male taken in Portage Township, Cambria County, by Brett A. Robine, of Irwin, Pa.; a 552-pound male taken in Bradys Bend Township, Armstrong County, by Travis J. Crawford, of  Kittanning, Pa.; and a 540-pound male taken in Leidy Township, Clinton County, by Thomas E. Fahringer, of Landisburg, Pa.

PRELIMINARY Day-Two BEAR HARVEST RESULTS

Hunters harvested 417 bears during the second day of Pennsylvania’s statewide bear season, increasing the total harvest to 2,040 over the season’s first two days, according to preliminary totals released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Archery and other early bear season harvest data still is being entered into the Game Commission’s database, and is not available at this time.  Bears have been harvested in 53 counties during the statewide season so far.

The top 10 bears processed at check stations by Tuesday were either estimated or confirmed to have live weights of 552 pounds or more.

The largest of those bears – a male estimated at 677 pounds – was taken in Pittsfield Township, Warren County by James M. Hultberg, of  Pittsfield, Pa.

Pa Bear Season 2014

Today is the opener of the Pa rifle Bear Season.  I hope everyone has a great day hunting black bear.  Last year hunters harvested some really big mature bears, I'm hoping for another great year.  Shoot straight and be safe. You can check the County harvested, Age and Weight of all bears taken in 2013 by clicking here

PA 2012 FINAL BEAR HARVEST RANKS THIRD OVERALL

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the final bear harvest results from the state’s recently concluded seasons show that hunters harvested 3,632 bears, which ranks as the third highest in Pennsylvania history.

The record bear harvest was set in 2011, when hunters took 4,350 bears. In 2005, hunters harvested 4,162 bears, which was the second highest in history.

The final harvest tallies by season are: 13 in the new, early seasons in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D; 262 bears taken during the statewide, five-day archery bear season; 2,685 bears taken during the four-day bear season, which included a Saturday-opener; and 672 bears taken during the extended bear season held in various WMUs during all or portions of the first week of the deer season.

In the 2005 bear season, hunters harvested 4,164 bears, and stood as the record harvest until 2011.

Other recent bear harvests include: 3,090 in 2010; 3,512 in 2009; 3,458 in 2008; 2,362 in 2007; 3,124 in 2006; 2,976 in 2004; 3,000 in 2003; 2,686 in 2002; 3,063 in 2001; 3,075 in 2000; 1,740 in 1999; and 2,598 in 1998.

The final bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit (with final 2011 figures in parentheses) were: WMU 1A, 4 (13); WMU 1B, 38 (64); WMU 2B, 6 (1): WMU 2C, 268 (226); WMU 2D, 162 (150); WMU 2E, 50 (79); WMU 2F, 285 (345); WMU 2G, 829 (1,086); WMU 3A, 342 (564); WMU 3B, 279 (479); WMU 3C, 146 (299); WMU 3D, 305 (318); WMU 4A, 139 (72); WMU 4B, 84 (70); WMU 4C, 163 (148); WMU 4D, 403 (355); WMU 4E, 110 (79); WMU 5A, 1 (1); WMU 5B, 2 (0); and WMU 5C, 16 (1).

Bears were harvested in 56 of the state’s 67 counties; which also marked a record for the number of counties included. The top five bear harvest counties this year, once again, all come from the Northcentral Region: Lycoming, 341 (336 taken in 2011); Clinton, 265 (205); Tioga, 227 (381); Potter 179 (399); and Centre, 143 (129).

Final county harvests by region (with 2011 figures in parentheses) are:

Northwest: Warren, 94 (119); Clarion, 77 (47); Venango, 62 (56); Forest, 56 (90); Jefferson, 51 (45); Butler, 11 (9); Erie, 7 (7); Crawford, 6 (16); and Mercer, 1 (6).

Southwest: Somerset, 94 (75); Fayette, 79 (67); Westmoreland, 37 (24); Armstrong, 35 (66); Indiana, 24 (33); Cambria, 11 (35); and Allegheny, 4 (1).

Northcentral: Lycoming, 341 (336); Clinton, 265 (205); Tioga, 227 (381); Potter 179 (399); Centre, 143 (129); McKean, 134 (258); Clearfield, 102 (154); Union, 82 (49); Elk, 76 (153); and Cameron, 67 (100).

Southcentral: Huntingdon, 125 (73); Bedford, 86 (44); Mifflin, 62 (48); Blair, 50 (32); Juniata, 37 (33); Perry, 32 (13); Fulton, 25 (15); Franklin, 14 (13); Snyder, 14 (29); Adams, 2 (0); and Cumberland, 2 (4).

Northeast: Pike, 108 (116); Monroe, 102 (88); Luzerne, 100 (99); Bradford, 86 (126); Wayne, 73 (208); Carbon, 67 (45); Sullivan, 60 (180); Wyoming, 57 (57); Susquehanna, 41 (92); Lackawanna, 37 (25); Columbia, 36 (26); Northumberland, 26 (11); and Montour, 3 (0).

Southeast: Dauphin, 48 (46); Schuylkill, 39 (34); Northampton, 21 (4); Lehigh 3 (3); Berks, 7 (2); and Lebanon, 4 (13).

According to final reports, 45 bears weighing 500 pounds or more were legally harvested during the four seasons, and 5 bears surpassed the 600 pound mark. The top 10 bears processed at check stations all had estimated live weights that exceeded 561 pounds. Joseph A. Spano, of East Stoudsburg, has harvested the largest bear so far this season. Taken Nov. 21, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, the male bear weighed an actual live weight of 709 pounds.

Other large bears (all but one, are estimated live weights) included: a 706-pound male taken by James R. Weisbrod, of Quakertown, in Greene Township, Pike County, on Nov. 20; a 699-pound male taken by William M. Rising, of Indiana, in Hamlin Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19; a 652-pound (actual live weight) male taken by Timothy J. Moffett, of Barto, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on Nov. 17; a 620-pound male, taken by Robert A. Pitts, of Meadville, in Roulette Township, Potter County, on Nov. 17; a 598-pound male, taken by Michael P. Intallura, of Renovo, in Noyes Township, Clinton County, on Nov. 17; 586-pound male, taken by Brian K. Stuebgen, of Renfrew, in Sergeant Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19; a 576-pound male, taken by Dana L. Landis, of Chambersburg, in Southampton Township, Bedford County, on Nov. 19; a 573-pound male taken by Michael J. Kelly, of Pittsburgh, in Harmony Township, Forest County, on Nov. 21; and a 562-pound male taken by Bryan L. Leabhart, of Dudley, in Carbon Township, Huntingdon County, on Nov. 19.

“While the Game Commission is not qualified to provide specific food safety advice, bear hunters need to be aware of the need for proper preparation of any bear meat,” said Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. “In addition to the advice already provided on safe handling of game in the field, certain recommendations can be made. If in the course of field dressing and processing game a successful hunter encounters no abnormal odors, colors, or textures to the meat it should be safe to consume if cooked to an internal temperature of 135F for mammals, and 165F for birds as determined by a meat thermometer used according to the manufacturers recommendations.”

To Connect with Wildlife, visit the Game Commission at the following:

Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PAGameComm
YouTube: www.youtube.com/pagamecommission
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission

2012 Pa PRELIMINARY THREE-DAY BEAR HARVEST RESULTS

HARRISBURG - Three days of the statewide four-day bear season have produced a preliminary harvest of 2,442 bears, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission check station reports filed this morning.

Last year’s three-day bear harvest total was 3,023; in 2010, which offered a three-day season with a Saturday opener, the harvest total was 2,815.

The preliminary three-day bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 3; WMU 1B, 28; WMU 2C, 208; WMU 2D, 133; WMU 2E, 33; WMU 2F, 260; WMU 2G, 696; WMU 3A, 151; WMU 3B, 167; WMU 3C, 56; WMU 3D, 173; WMU 4A, 119; WMU 4B, 73; WMU 4C, 82; WMU 4D, 223; WMU 4E, 35; WMU 5A, 1; and WMU 5C, 1.

The top 10 bears processed at check stations, so far, all had estimated live weights that exceeded 548 pounds. James R. Weisbrod, of Quakertown, has harvested the largest bear so far this season. Taken Nov. 20 in Greene Township, Pike County, the male bear an estimated live weight of 706 pounds.

 

Other large bears (all but one, are estimated live weights) included: a 699-pound male taken by William M. Rising, of Indiana, in Hamlin Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19;

a 652-pound (actual live weight) male taken by Timothy J. Moffett, of Barto, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on Nov. 17; a 620-pound male, taken by Robert A. Pitts, of Meadville, in Roulette Township, Potter County, on Nov. 17; a 598-pound male, taken by Michael P. Intallura, of Renovo, in Noyes Township, Clinton County, on Nov. 17; 586-pound male, taken by Brian K. Stuebgen, of Renfrew, in Sergeant Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19; a 576-pound male, taken by Dana L. Landis, of Chambersburg, in Southampton Township, Bedford County, on Nov. 19; a 562-pound male taken by Bryan L. Leabhart, of Dudley, in Carbon Township, Huntingdon County, on Nov. 19; a 559-pound male, taken by Clayton L. Dulaney, of Towanda, in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County, on Nov. 17; and a 557-pound male taken by Barry Zimmerman, of Loysville, in South West Madison Township, Perry County, on Nov. 20.

After three days of the four-day season, the top bear harvest county in the state remained Lycoming with 239. The rest of the line-up of the top five counties for bear harvests, so far, are: Clinton, 217; Tioga, 136; Potter 103; and Centre, 94.

County harvests by region for the first three days are:

 

Northwest: Warren, 84; Clarion, 65; Forest, 50; Jefferson, 48; Venango, 48; Butler, 8; Erie, 6; and Crawford, 5.

Southwest: Somerset, 75; Fayette, 64; Armstrong, 30; Westmoreland, 25; Indiana, 15; and Cambria, 10.

Northcentral: Lycoming, 239; Clinton, 217; Tioga, 136; Potter 103; Centre, 94; McKean, 86; Clearfield, 80; Elk, 70; Union, 59; and Cameron, 58.

Southcentral: Huntingdon, 85; Bedford, 69; Mifflin, 42; Blair, 33; Perry, 29; Juniata, 25; Fulton, 20; Franklin, 14; Snyder, 7; and Adams, 1.

Northeast: Pike, 66; Monroe, 57; Luzerne, 53; Wayne, 39; Bradford, 36; Sullivan, 33; Carbon, 29; Wyoming, 21; Lackawanna, 20; Columbia, 19; Susquehanna, 17; and Northumberland, 8.

Southeast: Dauphin, 24; Schuylkill, 15; Berks, 2; Northampton, 2; and Lehigh, 1.

Hunters with an unfilled bear license may participate in extended bear seasons that run concurrent with all or portions of the first week of the firearms deer season. For those deer hunters who didn’t purchase a bear license, but are headed to an area where the extended bear season is being held, they may purchase a bear license from Nov. 22 through Nov. 25.

For details about those areas open to extended bear hunting and the dates, please see pages 36 and 37 of the 2012-13 Digest. Bear check stations opened during the extended bear seasons can be found on page 38 of the 2012-13 Digest.

2012 Allegheny County Bear

The first archery season bear was taken in Allegheny County last week.  The 350 lb black bear is the first archery harvest of a bear in Allegheny County since the game commission started keeping records. 

I'm sure local Native Americans killed thousands, but to every hunter in SW Pa. it's a big deal. 

You can see the video and read the story here

Congratulation to 17 year old Aaron Hwosdow !

2011 FINAL BEAR HARVEST SETS NEW RECORD

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the final bear harvest results from the state’s three recently concluded seasons show that hunters harvested 4,350 bears, which sets a new record as the highest in Pennsylvania history.

On Dec. 5, preliminary harvest of 3,968 was announced, but that figure did not include complete reports from all check stations. 

The final harvest tallies by season is: 304 bears taken during the statewide, five-day archery bear season;

3,168 bears taken during the four-day bear season, which included a Saturday-opener; and 878 bears taken during the extended bear season held in various Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) during all or portions of the first week of the deer season.

2011 PA Bear hunting... Two Giants

Outdoor life has a great story regarding two giant bears that were taken this season here in Pennsylvania.

Both bears weighed over 700 pounds! I think it would be incredible to take a Pennsylvania black bear, especially with my crossbow.

I think my Parker Buck Buster 175 is up for the challenge.  Who wants to sit beside me in a ground blind and film my hunt?  Buhler, Buhler , anyone ?

2011 PA BEAR HARVEST RANKS SECOND All Time

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced preliminary bear harvest results from the state’s three recently concluded seasons show that hunters harvested 3,968 bears, which would rank the total harvest as the second highest in Pennsylvania history.

The preliminary breakdown of harvest by season is: 257 bears taken during the statewide, five-day archery bear season; 3,154 bears taken during the four-day bear season, which included a Saturday-opener; and 557 bears taken during the extended bear season held in various Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) during all or portions of the first week of the deer season.

Official total bear harvest figures won’t be available until early 2012, after a detailed review of each harvest report is completed. Preliminary bear harvest totals do change occasionally by a few bears.

In the 2005 bear season, hunters harvested a record 4,164 bears. The harvest record was set in a three-day statewide season and a six-day extended bear season in five WMUs.

Other recent bear harvests include: 3,090 in 2010; 3,512 in 2009; 3,458 in 2008; 2,362 in 2007; 3,124 in 2006; 2,976 in 2004; 3,000 in 2003; 2,686 in 2002; 3,063 in 2001; 3,075 in 2000; 1,740 in 1999; and 2,598 in 1998.

2011 Pa Bear Report

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters started the 2011 black bear season by taking a preliminary harvest of 1,936 black bears in 52 counties on the first day of the four-day statewide bear season, which was the second season to open on a Saturday. 

Archery bear harvest data still is being entered into the Game Commission’s database, and won’t be available for another week.

The 2011 first-day preliminary harvest compares with 1,751 in 2010, which also opened on a Saturday.  Other first-day harvest totals were 1,897 in 2009; 1,725 in 2008; 1,005 in 2007; 1,461 in 2006; 2,026 in 2005; 1,573 in 2004; 1,454 in 2003;1,348 2002; 1,812 in 2001; and 1,691 in 2000.

The top 11 bears processed at check stations on Monday all had estimated live weights that exceeded 591 pounds. Jonathan E. Byler, of Ulysses, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that weighed in at 746 pounds (estimated live weight). The bear was taken in Ulysses, Potter County, at 1:45 p.m.

Other large bears (all estimated live weights) included: a 734-pound male, taken by Steven Camasta, of Lakeview, in Salem, Wayne County; a 733-pound male, taken by John J. Hennick, of Cambria, in Bell, Clearfield County; a 714-pound male, taken by Timothy Kiser, of Karns City, in Bradys Bend, Armstrong County; a 706-pound male, taken by Paul Hoyt, of Levittown, in Bradys Bend, Armstrong County; a 629-pound male, taken by Jeremiah M. Bauer, of Hebron, Ohio, in Wharton, Potter County; a 618-pound male, taken by Matthew Hazelton, of Wellsboro, in Delmar, Tioga County; a 611-pound male, taken by Carl Eyler, of Greencastle, in Dublin, Huntingdon County; a 594-pound male, taken by Lindsay King, of Hillsgrove, in Hillsgrove, Sullivan County; a 591-pound male, taken by John Kissling, of Bernville, in Beaver, Columbia County; a 591-pound male, taken by John Vinton, of Waymart, in Canaan, Wayne County.

The preliminary first-day bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 8; WMU 1B, 39; WMU 2A, 2; WMU 2C, 141; WMU 2D, 82; WMU 2E, 42; WMU 2F, 200; WMU 2G, 612; WMU 3A, 160; WMU 3B, 181; WMU 3C, 50; WMU 3D, 146; WMU 4A, 55; WMU 4B, 46; WMU 4C, 41; WMU 4D, 108; and WMU 4E, 23. 

The top bear harvest county in the state on the first day of season was Potter with 160, followed by Tioga, 149; Lycoming, 146; McKean, 120; and Clinton, 100.

County harvests by region for the opening day are:

Northwest: Warren, 83; Forest, 50; Venango, 28; Jefferson, 25; Clarion, 22; Crawford, 10; Butler, 7; Erie, 6; and Mercer, 4.

Southwest: Somerset, 57; Fayette, 40; Armstrong, 39; Cambria, 23; Westmoreland, 10; and Indiana, 7.

Northcentral: Potter, 160; Tioga, 149; Lycoming, 146; McKean, 120; Clinton, 100; Clearfield, 93; Elk, 82; Cameron, 65; Centre, 60; and Union, 18.

Southcentral: Huntingdon, 42; Bedford, 41; Juniata, 19; Mifflin, 17; Blair, 14; Fulton, 7; Franklin, 7; Perry, 7; Snyder, 6; and Cumberland, 1.

Northeast: Sullivan, 68; Wayne, 61; Pike, 50; Monroe, 31; Bradford, 29; Luzerne, 26; Susquehanna, 19; Carbon, 16; Wyoming, 16; Lackawanna, 13; Columbia, 10; and Northumberland, 1.

Southeast: Dauphin, 14; Schuylkill, 12; Lebanon, 3; Lehigh, 1; and Northampton 1

Barrys Bear

One for the Bucket List
By Barry Plouse 

It all started with the end of the 2009 PA bear season.  My hunting friends were disappointed with not seeing any PA bears.  Though there are random black bear sightings in our Tri-County area of Northwest PA. We had to go east to have any chance of seeing a bear.  Having lost both of my parents within a two year period, I started to realize how short life can be, so I started a Hunting Bucket List for myself, my brother and some fellow hunting friends.  First on the Bucket List is a Black Bear Hunt for all of us.  We decided to make it a Maine Black Bear Hunt.

Since I am a C5/6 quadriplegic and use an electric wheelchair,  we needed to find an accessible Outfitter in Maine.  I did the search on the Internet and found one advertising accessible hunting and lodging. (http://westernmaineoutfitters.net)  I contacted them, got their references, checked them out and made the reservation for the 2^nd week of the 2010 season.  This Outfitter goes above and beyond in all aspects of the hunting experience.  It was like lodging at a 5 star Hotel while hunting. 

After a year of waiting in anticipation, we were over-packed and loaded for “bear” and heading to Maine with a trailer in tow.  Did I mention we were over-packed?  At the last moment I changed my firearm of choice to my crossbow.  After a phone call with my Western Maine Outfitter guide Dave Jones, he said “bring the crossbow, it’s a 17 yard shot!”  We arrived 5 hours early and were greeted like old friends.  We meet everyone with a handshake and it was returned with an open hand, a smile and big welcome to Maine Bear Hunting.

 After a good nights sleep with the Maine bruins running through our dreams, the guides educated us on the Maine Black Bear habits, actions and how to hunt over bait.  We are hunting the 3pm—sunset time slot.  Our group of hunters were divided into two groups. 

My brother Cecil and I were assigned to guide Dave Jones.  We had to drive miles into the baiting sights over old logging roads into the Maine forest.  I am the first to be dropped off since I am in the electric wheelchair and would need help to the ground blind.  The trial to the ground blind was rocky and my lock down bolt on the bottom of my wheelchair for driving my van kept scrapping the exposed rocks and creating a loud scrapping noise. 

My thoughts were every scrapping noise lessens my chances of seeing a bear!  My guide and brother helped me to get set up for the evening.  I am in a doghouse tent type of blind with only the front window open toward the bait area.  I took notice of the denseness of the forest and how it was like tunnel vision to the bait area. My guide Dave refreshes the bait area with their secret combination of goodies and he and my brother wish me luck and leave for the evening.  The crossbow and me are cocked, locked and ready to rock! 

 After an hour or so the nature show begins!   Maine red squirrels are about the size of our Pennsylvania grays.  They start their chattering and the investigation of the fresh bait.  I was out numbered 10 to 1 easily by red squirrels!  A raven landed next to the bait area; they are 4-5 times larger than a crow and just as noisy.   Then like a drone attack a red tail hawk tries to take out the raven on the bait.  They battle as they fly through the dense forest and making enough noise to scare a New Hampshire bear! 

Another hour passes and red squirrels are back to the bait area.  Without a warning a red tail hawk was back and on a red squirrel clenching it in his talons sitting on the bait barrel.  The hawk leaves the bait area and perches on a nearby branch on the blind side of my ground blind.   I can hear the squirrel squealing while clenched in the talons until the hawk finishes him off.  Am I watching a nature show on Discovery through my ground blind window? 

 My only concern being in a wheelchair in a ground blind with 3 sides covered is what if a bear comes behind me and wants to check me out?  With that thought embedded in my mind, a red squirrel falls from a tree, lands on my head, slides down my back like a bear nose sniffing a new bait barrel!  I lean forward throwing nothing but elbows and thinking here we go my only fear is here!  But the red squirrel lands behind me and enters the ground blind with me and now I am leaning over pushing the squirrel out!  Time to regroup because the magical hour is upon me.

The daylight is slipping away and forest has quieted down.  Now the mosquitoes have come out to play and feed!  I left my Thermo-o-cell behind to help control my scent and less chances of making noise.  As the magical hour of dusk approaches, I am second-guessing my decision of using my crossbow.  But I love the challenge and the thrill of my crossbow.  

While battling the mosquitoes I look back out of the blind to see a bear silhouette appearing like a black ghost without a sound within 25 feet of my blind.  I feel the rush starting, but I remember the guide’s advice to slow down, to analyze the size, to observe the actions of the bear and to not rush a shot.  I immediately start thinking of my situation, I am 25 feet away from a hungry Maine black bear in an electric wheel chair, zipped into a ground blind, armed with a one shot pointed stick and miles from anyone, wow this is good stuff!

The bear looks my way and looks at the bait area, lucky I am well concealed and holding my composure.  The bear decides to approach the bait; he goes to the left side of the bait and smells the goodies.  I am now looking at the size of the bear since I can use the bait barrel for a prospective and decide he is a shooter bear. 

This is my best shooting side of the bait area but the bear does not give up a high percentage shot opportunity.  After the bear whacks the rock holding the lid on the bait barrel it makes a loud metal on metal noise and spooks the bear backwards.  Now the bear approaches the right side of the bait and stands just like a 3D target. 

Daylight has now almost disappeared and my time is running out.  I have to readjust me and my crossbow to the opposite side of bait area.  While readjusting I create a new noise in the woods and bear looks right at me!  I quickly find him in my red dot scope, find the 20-yard dot and place it the kill zone and pull the trigger.  I hear the whack, that whack of exploding lungs, the bear jumps and grunts and turns to run away from me.  Then the crashing noise through the dense Maine forest , this was the loudest noise I heard all evening.  I am noticing the crashing noise is getting closer and closer, then it stops 15 yards from me.  Then the next noise I hear is the bears last 3 breaths.   An expiring black bear makes a death call that would send shivers up Daniel Boone's spine!

 Now the loudest noise in the Maine forest is my heart!  I am now sitting in the darkness with the mosquitoes buzzing me.  With my heart pounding, I start to recap just what has happen in a matter of the last 2-3 minutes, I can’t believe it; a C5/6 quadriplegic just harvested a 190 lb., 4-year-old black bear boar with my crossbow. 

My thoughts turn quickly to thank God, to thank my Dad and thank my brother for being by side in the woods and giving thanks to my lovely wife and daughter for allowing me to keep active in my love of hunting.  

After an hour waiting for the guide and my brother, they show up to retrieve me out of the darkest dark I have ever been in.  I decided to play it cool and wait for them to ask me if I had any luck.  I’m noticing the flashlights coming closer, then the zipper being undone behind me.  They ask me if I saw anything and I calmly reply, “Yes, he’s laying right over there.”  They quickly abandon me in the Maine dark forest once again and rushed over to where I was pointing at yelling out nice bear, nice bear!  Next the dragging of the bear and me out of the woods ends the hunt, but the memory is etched in my mind forever.

 A special thank you and recognition is needed to Western Maine Outfitters, without them creating an accessible hunting opportunity none of this could have happen!  FYI all five hunters saw Maine Black Bear during our week long hunt.

 I now think that my “Bucket List” might be upgrade to a “ Barrel List”!

Tred Barta Bags 400lb Bear

Eagle County TV host bags a bear | VailDaily.com

Using his Action TrackChair and his long bow he was able to take a 400lb Black Bear in British Columbia.

My wheelchair will be here July 2nd, I can't wait to start exploring the outdoors again.  This Action TrackChair provides the Ultimate in mobility for everyone who loves the outdoors.

Meet your new neighbors: the bears

Meet your new neighbors: the bears

What an interesting article regarding black bears in Pennsylvania. In the early 1990s I hunted bear in Pennsylvania and Canada before my injury.

Unfortunately I had no success in harvesting a black bear.... Maybe my odds are increasing here at home!

Pa Bear Season 2010

Bow hunters took 224 bears during the first-ever statewide, five-day bear season, and 2,815 bears were taken with a rifle during the restructured three-day season, which included a Saturday-opener this year.

The total number of bears taken was 3,039 in 53 counties throughout the Commonwealth.  The top county this year was Clinton with 248 bears.  The record for bears taken in Pa is 4,164 harvested in the 2005 season.

I was never fortunate enough to harvest a bear in Pennsylvania or anywhere else.  I did take one Hunting trip to Canada but did not even see a black bear.  That's a story for another blog entry. 

If you were successful in harvesting a bear this year, I would love to see your pictures and hear your stories.