The first day of bear season in Pennsylvania has resulted in a large decrease from the same time period in years past.
According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a total of 659 black bears were harvested across 49 counties on Saturday. This is barely half of the 2016 first day total of nearly 1,300 bears harvested.
Two bears were harvested in Butler County last Saturday compared to five taken on the first day of last bear season. The largest bear, a male estimated at 700 pounds, was taken in neighboring Venango County, Oil Creek Township by Titusville native Chad Wagner.
The 2017 bear season will continue though this Wednesday (11/22).
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network