Pennsylvania hunters bagged 3,458 bears in 2008

Harrisburg, Pa. (AP) — Bear hunters had a good year in
Pennsylvania in 2008.

According to figures released Wednesday by the state Game
Commission, hunters took a total of 3,458 bears. That number
includes bears killed during the archery, statewide and extended
hunting seasons.

Commission bear biologist Mark Ternent says bears were taken in
54 counties. That’s an increase from 2007, when bears were taken in
49 counties.

The largest bear killed was a 716-pound male taken in Tobyhanna
Township in northeastern Pennsylvania on Nov. 25.

In all, 12 bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or
more.

The commission says this harvest ranks second among
Pennsylvania’s annual bear harvests. Hunters set a record of 4,164
bears in 2005.