DEC Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000 March 15, 2021
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DEC ANNOUNCES 2020 BEAR HARVEST TOTALSEarly Season Hunters Report Successful Harvests in Northern and Southern Zones |
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New York State bear hunters took 1,723 black bears during the 2020 hunting seasons, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.
“Black bears continue to prosper in New York’s excellent bear habitat,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Bear hunting seasons allow DEC wildlife managers to collect valuable information that our scientists use to help maintain healthy bear populations. And successful bear hunters help maintain populations at sustainable levels and are rewarded with outstanding food for their families and friends.”
Hunters took an estimated 1,152 bears in the Southern Zone, comparable to the record set in 2019, and 11 percent greater than the recent five-year average. While take in the regular season was lower than last year, hunters had record success during the early and bow seasons.
In the Northern Zone, hunters harvested an estimated 571 bears—the highest number since 2015. A productive early season in the Northern Zone is generally followed by a relatively low regular season harvest, with the reverse anticipated in the year to come. The 2020 bear harvest followed this pattern, with an early season harvest that increased four-fold from 2019, and a regular season harvest that dropped approximately 25 percent from 2019 numbers.
Bear Harvest Totals
DEC's harvest estimates rely on successful hunters reporting their harvest. For more information on game harvest reporting, visit DEC's website.
2020 Bear Take Summary Report |
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