It might be natural to think that after hunters shot a record number of bears last fall, the population would be down a bit this year. It might be natural, but it would apparently be wrong. Mark Ternent, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's black bear biologist, said he expects hunters to encounter just as many bears this year as last, if not more. Hunters took 3,075 bears in 2000, the first time the kill had ever topped 3,000. Ternent attributes the large bear population - estimated at about 15,000 animals statewide - to good habitat. It really produced this year, and hunters figure to reap the rewards, he said. "Bear hunters ... should benefit from the tremendous mast crop in many areas of the state, because it should coax more bears to continue foraging, rather than hibernate," Ternent said. As recently as 1999, Pennsylvania was thought to be home to only about 10,000 bears. Wildlife conservation officers, the PGC's field officers, apparently agree. Of the 145 who work in what is considered the state's "bear country," 90 rated bear hunting prospects as excellent this year. Forty-three more said the outlook is good. "Even after last year's record harvest, we seem to have more bears than ever," said Warren County WCO Don Daugherty Jr. "Last year, bear hunting was excellent, so this year it should be super-excellent." "I don't believe I have had one week without a bear complaint," said Frank Dooley, a WCO in Wayne County. "I have never heard more stories about bear sightings than I have this year. It seems everywhere I go someone is telling me about a sow with four cubs or a big 500-pounder that was knocking over birdfeeders in his or her backyard." Bears were harvested in 50 of the state's 67 counties last year, up from 47 in 1999. Ternent expects pennsylvania's bears will continue to expand their range, moving into counties where they are not at present. That could mean run-ins with people. "Most of the state's forested areas now contain bears, and in areas where their numbers are light, we can expect to see populations increase. We also expect to see bears continue to try and establish themselves in southeastern counties and in counties along the Ohio border," he said. "These areas tend to have lots of people and almost unlimited potential for conflicts." The PGC has already proposed expanding bear season in Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties in the state's northeastern corner next year as a way of controlling a growing bear population that's bumping up hard against people. The PGC board will cast a tentative vote on that issue at its January meeting. Final approval would come in April. The PGC is looking for hunters to remove about 20 percent of the bear population this year through hunting. That would keep the herd size stable for 2002. Last year, for the first time ever, three counties had bear harvests of more than 200 animals. They were Clinton, with 248, Lycoming, with 223, and Potter, with 203. Eight other counties had harvests of more than 100 bears each. They were Clearfield, 175; Pike, 170; McKean, 154; Tioga, 152; Centre, 151; Wayne, 112; Elk, 108; and Monroe, 103. Bear season runs from Nov. 19 through 21. What will this year bring• While weather will play a role, it looks as though there's at least the potential for another big harvest.

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