The DEC recently announced that hunters harvested an estimated 1,759 black bears during the 2025-26 season, marking the second-highest total ever recorded, just behind 2003. Even more impressive, the Southern Zone set a new all-time record, underscoring a decades-long shift in where — and how successfully — hunters are encountering bears. In Region 9 alone, 196 bears were brought home.

For communities across Western New York, including Chautauqua County, this isn’t just a statistic — it’s a reflection of a thriving, well-managed wildlife population and a growing outdoor recreation story. If you have a low-hanging bird feeder though, you might want to raise it.

That story becomes even more compelling when you zoom in to Wildlife Management Unit 9J, which covers much of Chautauqua County; hunters harvested 43 bears this season — an impressive total that highlights the area’s productivity. Of those, 23 were taken during the archery season, with another 20 during the regular firearm season, showing strong success across both methods. In adjoining WMU 9K, also notable results, with 14 bears harvested, including eight during archery and six during the regular firearm season. For a region that, just decades ago, saw far fewer bears, these numbers reflect a remarkable and sustained population expansion.

When I was a kid 70-plus years ago, black bears in New York were largely confined to remote, mountainous regions like the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Photo courtesy of NYSDEC The black bear density in New York state is notable for hunters and landowners.

Today, they occupy nearly the entire state, including much of the Southern Tier and Western New York. That expansion has been especially noticeable in areas like Chautauqua County, where a mix of forests, farmland and abundant food sources creates ideal bear habitat.

Statewide trends reinforce what local hunters are seeing. The Southern Zone accounted for a total of 1,202 bears harvested, continuing a pattern that began in the late 1990s. It has now produced the majority of New York’s bear harvest for the past two decades, firmly establishing regions like Western New York as key contributors. One standout statistic: the heaviest bear reached 562 pounds, underscoring the quality of habitat and nutrition available.

For hunters in Chautauqua County and beyond, this growth translates into real opportunity. Expanded bear range, healthy populations, and strong seasonal success rates are making Western New York an increasingly attractive destination — not just for locals, but for visiting outdoor enthusiasts.

Behind the numbers is a careful balance. DEC relies on harvest reports, biological data and decades of research to ensure bear populations remain sustainable while minimizing conflicts with communities.

For Western New York, the takeaway is simple: this is a region where conservation success meets outdoor tradition. The impressive harvest numbers in WMUs 9J and 9K aren’t just statistics — they’re proof that the region’s wild legacy is alive and well.

And if the weather has you indoors for now, it might just be the perfect time to start planning for next season — because in places like Chautauqua County, the story of the WNY black bear is still growing.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

March 31: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

April 1: NYS Inland Trout Season — opening day.

April 2: WNY Re-Leaf Tree Safety Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Buffalo Zoo; tree care safety basics, chipper safety, chain saw safety, more; small fee.

April 7: Niagara Musky Association, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., Eldridge Club, 17 Board St., Tonawanda.

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Submit calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com at least 10 days in advance.