Black Bear

Scientific Name: Ursus americanus
Seasons and Bag Limits: 2021-22 Digest, Black Bear Section

Black Bear Wildlife Note

Hunting

Modifications for the 2021 seasons include moving up the start of the extended bear season to begin on the firearms deer opener and include Sunday, Nov. 28 in the WMUs where the season is open.

Black Bear Age Harvest Data
Bear, Deer & Turkey Harvests
Harvest Maps
Pennsylvania Black Bear Harvest Certificate (PDF)
Wildlife Management Units
Highly Regulated Community Activity WPSU video (3:22)

BUY your Bear License

Online (allow 10 business days to arrive by mail; it cannot be printed)
In person at an Issuing Agent, and walk out the door with your license.

Bear Feeding Ban

It is unlawful to intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause bears to congregate or habituate an area. In addition, if nuisance bears are being attracted to an area by other wildlife feeding, game wardens can issue written notice to temporarily halt the activity.

Harvest Data

Click on the map below to view information being collected at check stations.

Reference

Myths and Misconceptions about PA Black Bears - WITF Smart Talk radio interview with Game Commission Bear Biologist, 2019
A February Bear Den Visit (2:20)
Summer Bear Trapping (1:20)
On the Trail of the Pennsylvania Black Bear; 1991 (1:41:48)
Springtime Ecology of Pennsylvania Black Bears - a webinar (46:29)
Living with Black Bears – Urban bears
Why is there a bear in my yard? (1:25)
Black Bear Expansion Based on Harvest Distribution (PDF)
Mange in Black Bears brochure (PDF)

Research

Black Bear Research in Your Neighborhood (PDF)
Population Growth of Bears
Bountiful Black Bears
Bear Management Plan (PDF)
Pennsylvania Residents' Opinions On and Attitudes toward Black Bears (PDF)
Pennsylvania Residents' Opinions On and Attitudes toward black Bears - Executive Summary (PDF)

Black Bear

2021 Hunting Seasons

Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 18-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22-26.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMU 5B): Oct. 2-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; and Nov. 15-19.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Oct. 16-Nov. 6.

BLACK BEAR, MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 16-23.

BLACK BEAR, SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 21-23, Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 20; Sunday, Nov. 21; and Nov. 22-23.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Nov. 27, Sunday, Nov. 28, Nov. 29-Dec. 4.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 27, Sunday, Nov. 28, Nov. 29-Dec. 11.