HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania bear hunters can enjoy a full week of archery bear season from Monday to Friday, followed by a Saturday opener of the three-day firearms bear season, which will run Nov. 20, 22 and 23.

Since 1992, six bears with an estimated live weight of 800 pounds or more have been taken in Pennsylvania. The possibility of another 800-pounder being taken by a hunter is always in play when bear season opens.

Hunters must have a general hunting license and a bear license. Bear licenses are not part of the junior or senior combination licenses and must be bought separately.

All hunters who harvest a bear must tag it immediately with the field harvest tag that is part of the bear license, and, if it’s taken during the statewide three-day season, the carcass must be transported — minus entrails — to one of the Game Commission bear check stations within 24 hours.

Hunters must present their general hunting license and bear license with the bear.

Check stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23. In addition, all check stations will be open Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check station information is listed on page 38 of the 2010-11 Hunting and Trapping Digest.

During the archery season, hunters should contact the Game Commission regional office that serves the county in which the harvest took place for assistance within 24 hours to have their bear checked.

Office telephone numbers are listed on page 5 of the Hunting and Trapping Digest.