The final bear harvest tally is in for the 2012 season and it now ranks as third highest in Pennsylvania history.
During all the seasons, hunters took 3,632 bears which is 718 less than the record setting 4,350 that were taken during the 2011 season, and second highest of the 4,162 bears shot during the 2005 season.
As there were four seasons, the Pennsylvania Game Commission says that 13 bears were harvested in the new early season in WMU’s 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D while 262 were shot during the statewide five-day archery bear season; 2,685 came during the four-day bear season (that included a Saturday opener); and 672 were taken during the extended season held in various WMUs during all portions of the first week of deer season.
Overall, bears were harvested says the PGC in 56 of the state’s 67 counties. And the top five bear harvest counties were all from the Northcentral Region that comprises: Lycoming, 341 (336 in 2011) bears; Clinton, 265 (205); Tioga, 227 (381); Potter, 179 (399); and Centre, 143 (129).
On the local scene, WMU 5B accounted for 2 bears while 5C had an impressive 16 when only one was taken during the 2011 season.
As for the county-total in the Southeast Region, Dauphin recorded 48 bears (46 in 2011); Schuylkill, 39 (34); Northampton, 21 (4); Lehigh 3 (3); Berks, 7 (2); and Lebanon, 4 (13).
According to the PGC, 45 bears weighing 500 pounds or more were taken during the four seasons with 5 bears surpassing the 600-pound mark.
The largest bear taken this past season was a male that weighed 709 pounds and was shot on Nov. 21 in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County by Joseph A. Spano of East Stroudsburg.
Other larges bears included: a 706-pound male taken by James Weisbrod of Quakertown in Greene Twp., Pike County, on Nov. 20; a 699-pound male by William Rising, of Indiana in Hamlin Township, McKean County on Nov. 19; a 652-pound (actual live weight) male by Tim Moffett, Barto in Middle Smithfield Twp., Monroe County on Nov. 17; a 620-pound male by Robert Pitts, Meadville, in Roulette Twp., Potter County on Nov. 17; a 598-pound male by Michael Intallura, of Renovo in Noyes Twp. Clinton County on Nov. 17; 586-pound male by Brian Stuebgen, Renfrew in Sergeant Twp., McKean County on Nov. 19; 576-pound male by Dana Landis, Chambersburg, in Southampton Twp., in Bedford County on Nov. 19; 573-pound male by Michael Kelly of Pittsburgh in Harmony Twp., Forest County on Nov. 21; and a 562-pound male by Bryan Leabhart, Dudley in Carbon Twp., Huntingdon County on Nov 19.
SPORTSMAN’S FLEA MARKET
The Alburtis Sportsman’s Association is holding their 19th annual flea market on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Alburtis Area Community Center located at 220 West 2nd Street, Alburtis, PA 18011. Doors open at 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a $3 admission with children under 12 free.
New and used fishing, hunting and trapping equipment plus collectibles and antiques will be offered as well as free vintage lure appraisals. All proceeds from the event will benefit Alburtis Boy Scout Troop 86. For additional information cal 610-966-2195.
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