Area bear hunters had a successful opening day Monday, according
to John Dzemyan, game commission land manager for McKean and Elk
counties.

At the bear check station in Mount Jewett, Dzemyan reported a
first-day total of 115 bruins.

The largest bear was from Shinglehouse (477 pounds, dressed
weight). Another hunter harvested a 406-pound bruin in Lewis
Run.

“It was a real good day,” Dzemyan said. “The kill was very good.
A lot of bear were taken in areas where there were a lot of oak and
acorns available. It (the kill) was spread throughout the
county.”

Normally, the Mount Jewett check station totals 60-70 bear on
the first day.

“We expected it would be a good year,” Dzemyan noted. “The
weather was gentle enough that hunters stayed out there all
day.”

The season continues through Wednesday.

Last year, a record 132,181 hunters bought Pennsylvania bear
licenses. Expanded bear hunting opportunities are believed to have
spurred more hunters to purchase a bear license, as well as
increased reports of bear sightings in secondary bear ranges
throughout the state.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission said this season has the
potential to be one of the state’s best ever and is likely to
produce some exceptionally large bears.