HARRISBURG — Hunters can expect to find a sizeable black bear population afield during the state's upcoming bear seasons, which include a first bear archery season, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials.

In fact, on the heels of Pennsylvania's record-setting black bear harvest of 4,164 in 2005, Mark Ternent, Game Commission bear biologist, said he believes hunters will harvest 2,500 to 3,000 bears during the upcoming hunting seasons.

Those seasons are: special bear archery, Wildlife Management Units 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D, Nov. 15 and 16; regular bear season, statewide, Nov. 20 to 22; and extended bear season, WMUs 3C, 3D and portions of 3B, 4E, and 2G, Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.

Additionally, there is a Rockview Prison bear hunt (with prior approval) in Centre County Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.

A printing error in the 2006-07 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest incorrectly lists on a detachable pullout card found between pages 28 and 29 that the extended bear season is open in WMU 4C. The extended bear season is not open in WMU 4C.

"Although a record number of bears were taken last year, bears continue to be plentiful over a large part of the state," Ternent said. "The only areas where bear numbers may be down slightly are portions of northeastern Pennsylvania, where extended bear hunting seasons have been held since 2002 to reduce bear populations."

The state's six largest black bear harvests — all exceeding 2,600 bears — have occurred over the past six years.

Before 1983, the state's annual bear harvests never exceeded 1,000. Pennsylvania has held bear hunting seasons every year but four since 1905. Those four years when bear season was closed were 1934, 1970, 1977 and 1978.

Bear licenses must be bought before the opening day of the regular deer firearms season Nov. 27.

Hunters interested in learning more about what's going on with black bears in their counties should visit Game Commission's Field Officer Game Forecasts found on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

Developed to share field officer perspectives and observations on game and furbearer trends in their respective districts and to help hunters and trappers get closer to the action afield, the new addition to the website has been warmly received.