This year’s Pennsylvania bear harvest has set a new state record.
Although the season continues through Saturday in some areas, the most recent total count is that nearly 4,600 bears have been harvested so far this year.
The statewide bear population at the start of bear hunting season was estimated to be around 20,000 so the Pennsylvania Game Commission doubled the number of statewide bear hunting days to allow for a reduction of that population. A total of 44 bears have been harvested in Butler County this year.
The previous record for a yearly bear harvest was set in 2011 when hunters took 4,350 bears.