OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Bear hunters found record success in the Southern Zone. Above is a 2017 file photo of Nick Sheffield.

Bear season was pretty good this past year, depending where you were hunting. Once the official numbers were released, the study showed that the Southern Zone had an all time record kill of 1,179 bears, while the Northern Zone recorded only 326 bruins, the lowest total since 2011. Add up the total for both zones and you get a total of 1,505 bears which beat out the previous years total of 1,295 bear harvested.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has a theory on the difference in numbers. The lower number of bear harvested in 2018 most likely was due to the weather. The temperatures were colder and there was more early snowfall back in 2018, which prompted the bear population to den up earlier that year. This resulted in a larger bear population the next year.

Food also called mast, plays a role in availability. The report indicates that in the Northern Zone the bear harvest numbers tend to alternate between the early and regular seasons. If there is abundant food during the regular season the harvest will increase. Last year it was reported that there was abundant food for bears with plenty of acorns and beech nuts supplying hard mast and apples and cherries providing soft mast.

When the bear don’t have to search for food, they are less likely to be encountered by hunters. The DEC also stated that the Northern Zone bear population continues to follow a high/low pattern and 2019 fit that pattern as being a low year. The DEC commented that the interest in bear hunting is growing, with most bear being harvested while out pursuing deer. The highest single day bear kill occurred on November 16 which you will recall was opening day of the Southern Zone firearms season for deer and bear.

The heaviest bear recorded taken last year weighed 643 pounds field dressed and was shot in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County. Sullivan County was the top spot for bear in 2019 with 207 bear harvested, followed by Ulster (157), Deleware (150), Stueben (113) and Orange (89). In the Northern Zone the top spot was St. Lawrence with 76 bear kills. Bow hunters took 371 bears, while muzzleloaders shot 47. A total of 832 bear were taken during the regular season. The biggest bear density per Wildlife Unit was WMU 3K in Sullivan County but the Town of Tusten yielded four bear per every 10 square miles.

There were 17 tagged bear harvested, with six from Pennsylvania, one from Massachusetts and one from New Jersey. Non-resident hunters harvested 13% of the bear last year and those non-resident hunters hailed from 19 states. Most hunters and land owners seem to enjoy bear sightings. One deer hunter commented he returned to an area where he had previously shot a deer last year. As he was standing he saw a cub black bear approaching. The cub sat down and observed the hunter while the mother bear and two cubs were busy about 20 yards away. Thankfully the bears did not encroach the hunter, and departed leaving the hunter with a sigh of relief and a exciting memory.

Calendar: There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Wednesday, March 18 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. There is an $80 fee for these courses. For more information contact Gary at 366- 3397.

Anglers note that walleye season closed March 15 (Sunday) and will re-open on the first Saturday of May (Saturday, May 2).

The Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will be having their next meeting on Monday, March 23 starting at 6 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards located on Route 20 in Sheridan. They will announce the winner of the annual scholarship award and will pick a date for the 2020 JAKES day event. Anyone who has any ideas for the day or who would like to volunteer, are encouraged to attend.

On Monday evenings the “Con Club” is looking for people interested in learning “how to tie their own fishing flies.” Several advanced fly-tiers will be on hand to give individual attention to persons who would like to learn this hobby. All materials and equipment are provided free. The learning area is secure and a controlled environment from 6 until 8 p.m. You get to keep what you make. Refreshments are usually provided and always free. No experience necessary, no sign up required. Just show up and have fun. This would be a great opportunity for scout leaders to bring their young charges in for a great learning experience. Call 366-1772 days if you need more information or a contact number.