Local bear kill numbers decline after record '05

Final Pa. Game Commission figures released last week confirmed a smaller bear kill in Cameron and Potter counties than reported in 2005.

Hunters took 70 bruins in Cameron County last year, way down from the 172 mark in 2005. The Potter County figure was 189, slightly off the pace of 214 the previous year.

Statewide, hunters took a total of 3,122 bears, which ranked second only to the alltime record of 4,164 in 2005.

The figures included 79 bears killed during the firstever archery bear season; 2,569 bears during the statewide three-day season, and 474 bears during the extended season in select areas of the state.

Other recent statewide harvests were: 3,075 in 2000; 3,063 in 2001; 2,686 in 2002; 3,000 in 2003; and 2,972 in 2004.

The largest bear taken was a 693-pound (estimated live weight) male taken in West Branch Township, Potter County, by John Eppinette of Adamstown.

Other area bear harvests in 2006, with the 2005 figures in parentheses, were: Clinton, 226 (227); Tioga, 149 (242); McKean, 139 (146); Clearfield, 136 (159); Centre, 103 (150); and Elk, 87 (112).