With the NYS DEC's decision to open additional 13 WMUs for bear hunting it should come as no surprise that bear hunters had a banner year. In fact, preliminary numbers indicate that 2008 may have set a new record for black bear harvests. 

The Catskill region is expected to come in around 2005's record breaking numbers - nearing the 500 mark. In the Allegany region where 13 additional WMUs were opened to bear hunting this season there were 200 bears taken in the compared to 120 in 2007 - a 67% increase. Preliminary numbers in the Adirondacks suggest that 455 bears have been reported so far, but that number could reach the 600 mark as the Adirondack region typically doesn't have as high of a reporting rate as other areas according to DEC officials.

Although this seasons mast crop that was spotty at best, an early snow gave hunters the opportunity to track bears.

Bowhunters fared well in 2008. Reported bow kills totalled 129 in the Catskills, 88 in the Allegany region and 10 in the Adirondacks.

This season Ulster County stood out with 139 reported kills. That put Ulster ahead of Sullivan, which is traditionally the top bear-hunting area in the Catskills. This season Sullivan County reported 93 bear kills.

For the full article please visit NY Outdoor News.