The big game species that can be hunted in Pennsylvania are the elk, whitetail deer, black bear and wild turkeys. For the average hunter, the chance to get an elk in our state is quite remote because of the limited number of animals and the slim chance of ever being drawn. When you consider the deer, bear and turkeys, most hunters would tend to agree that taking a black bear in Pennsylvania is the greatest challenge, with the slimmest chance of success. But, while we do not have a spring bear season like numerous other states, the opportunities for fall black bear hunting are even greater than in past years.

In just over two weeks, the archery bear season will be held at the same time as the archery deer season. The bear season runs statewide from October 17 to November 7. Additionally, the muzzleloader bear season is being held from October 17 to 24. Further, this year during the Junior and Senior 3-day antlerless deer season, from October 22 – 24, black bear can be taken. Finally, the regular statewide firearms season goes from Saturday, November 21 right through to Tuesday, November 24 – and, yes, that includes a day of Sunday hunting on November 22. This all reflects a much greater opportunity to take a Pennsylvania black bear this fall.

There are several techniques in hunting black bear and one of the most effective is the organized drive. The “drive” is used by numerous hunting clubs and camps throughout the state and by neighboring groups of hunters who get together to participate in this annual event. Since black bear will usually bed down during daylight hours in some of the nastiest terrain and thickest cover, organizing a group of hunters to push through these bedding areas can be very fruitful.

“Still hunting” for bear is a bit more difficult, but especially with some preseason scouting under your belt, can also be very productive for bear hunters. Here, a single hunter or just two or three hunters who are coordinating their efforts will slowly move through the woods, in an effort to spot a bear, either in a bedding area or while enroute to or at a feeding location. In still hunting, the feeding locations can be critical. Throughout the months of October and November, there will be some standing corn fields, some freshly harvested fields and numerous hardwood stands with oak trees that are producing acorns – a favorite and important food source for bears as they try to put on a layer of fat to help make it through the winter months ahead. If we continue to have a lack of rain, water sources such as streams and ponds can be productive in late evening or early morning hunting hours.

If you do not yet have a place to bear hunt this fall, then you need to get busy over the next week or so to locate a spot. If you can find some standing corn fields that are near hardwood forests, you need to be knocking on landowner’s doors to seek permission to hunt for bears. Generally speaking, farmers and landowners are not very happy when neighboring black bears are devouring their corn crop before they can harvest it and will often be open to allow hunting of bears. The key is to be responsible and respectful of the landowners and do not wait until the very last minute to seek permission to hunt. Offering a hand with splitting some firewood or presenting the farmer with a homemade apple pie will go a long way to helping “seal the deal!”

Through the years, I have frequently heard people say that they have tried eating black bear meat, but just don’t enjoy it. Quite to the contrary, black bear meat is one of my favorites. A roast is delicious when prepared properly. The secret is trimming off all of the excess fat before roasting. Then, roast it slowly on a rack so that more of the fat will drip from the meat during cooking, and slice the meat across the grain for presentation along with potatoes and mixed vegetables. Another tasty way to use bear meat is in the making of breakfast sausage.

From the thrill of hunting black bears in Pennsylvania to the enjoyment of presenting the meat at the dinner table, our black bear is truly a prize worth pursuing.