Early bear season poised to begin today
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Early bear hunting season begins Saturday in southeastern New York, followed by a Sept. 15 opening in the north.
Bears feed heavily at this time of year, building reserves for the upcoming winter.
They gorge on wild foods like acorns, beech nuts, berries, and vegetation, and also frequently feed on apples and other agricultural crops such as corn. Hunters can increase the odds of finding a bear by keying in on concentrated food sources, the state Department of Environmental Conservation says.
“Late summer is a great time to be afield, with pleasant days and cool evenings,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “By participating in early black bear season, New York hunters play an important role in helping wildlife managers control bear populations.”
Recently, here have been several reports of bear sightings in local residential neighborhoods such as Geyser Crest in Saratoga Springs and the Lake Elizabeth area of Wilton.
DEC uses regulated sport hunting to manage black bear populations at levels that are acceptable to the public. Information about black bear hunting in New York, including season dates regulations, is available on DEC’s website. Additionally, DEC’s booklet “Hunting the Black Bear in New York” includes tips on bear hunting and proper care of harvested bears.
During the early bear season, hunters may use a bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), a crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun or rifle, where allowed.
Because of the likelihood of warm weather, bear hunters should be prepared to skin and cool harvested bears as soon as possible to protect the quality of meat, a news release said. Hunters may opt to skin and quarter the bear in the field, then pack out the meat in game bags to a waiting cooler of ice.
From roasts, stews, and burger, to sausage and barbecued ribs, bear meat makes excellent table fare, the release said. Some hunters also render bear fat into grease or lard, which may be used as an oil for cooking or baking. It can also be used to waterproof leather or to lubricate patches for muzzleloading, the DEC says.
In southeastern New York, the early bear season runs from Sept. 8-23 in Wildlife Management Units 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, and 4R.
The early bowhunting season for bears in all of the Southern Zone opens Oct. 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning Nov. 17.
In northern New York, the early bear season runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 12 in Wildlife Management Units 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, and 6J.
Bowhunting season for bears also begins Sept. 15 in other Northern Zone units (6A, 6G, 6K, and 6N). Muzzleloader season then opens in all Northern Zone units on Oct. 13, followed by the regular firearms season for bears on Oct. 20.
Hunters are reminded to “Take it, Tag it, Report It.”
Hunter harvest reports are vital for estimating annual harvests. DEC biologists use harvest reports in conjunction with other indicators to inform management decisions for subsequent hunting seasons.