super_hunt54

That may be true and it may not Flags. As far as body weight, it aint at all. Since the late 90's to early 2000's PA has consistently seen harvested bears in the 600-850 pound range and many more have been observed but not taken. In other words, the smart ones

And as far as Black Bears not hibernating in NC. That is a 100% myth. They don't go down as long or as hard generally as their northern kin but they absolutely do hibernate.

Oldtimr

PA has and has had many bears approaching and exceeding 800 lbs. There are genetics involved as well as food. Bronko was correct, we have the largest black bears in the country in PA. There is a black bear full body mount in the Cabelas store that was killed illegally in Lycoming Co. PA that was well over 800 lbs. The taxidermist that mounted it had to use a Grisly bear form to mount it. The bear biologist at the time said there are at least two more bears that are as large or larger still alive in the Poconos. Just one recent one.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/ga...ylvania#page-2

bronko22000

Not quite Flags. I'd say they are pretty much neck and neck. The heaviest ever killed in NC was 880 lb and the heaviest in PA 879 lbs!
Second was 782 vs 704. But articles do suggest because like you stated, they don't hibernate and are getting fatter and fatter. Good thing B&C only recognizes skull size. Sort of like deer and antler size.
Heck if weight was to way a trophy was regulated I myself would be a much better trophy now then I was 20 years ago!

flags

Got a good friend of mine in NC that guides. His average bear is nearly 400 lbs and that's an average. I doubt PA can equal that as a flat average. I've seen a lot of pics of bear taken in PA that were very small and a few that were nearly cubs.

Oldtimr

Not all bears in PA truly hibernate except bred sows. Boars and unbred sows will nest on top of the ground or hole up and when the weather breaks which it does several times a winter they will get up and out and forage.

super_hunt54

Hibernation with Black Bears is differing across the country. Up in Canada and Alaska, they go down for the count. In the lower 48 it's more of an up and down thing in almost ALL of the states. Your hard frozen really upper 48 states see some serious down hibernating bears but for the most part, it's the bred sows that hit the hay and the unbred sows and the older boars are up and down quite a bit. Especially in seasons like this year. Cold and warm from week to week really disrupts their cycles. Back in the dark ages when I hunted blackies, I hunted NC quite often with it being so close to my stomping grounds. Some in the spring would be all scrawny from hibernation and others would be fairly fat and sassy.

Oldtimr

One thing about the habits of wildlife, you should never say always, or never about them.

bronko22000

In regard to the earlier post about a semi-auto rifle in PA. Looks like this passed unanimously by the PGC and will go in for a final vote during the March 27-28 meeting. This is from an email I received from NRA-ILA

super_hunt54

Oh lord....Like opening day on the game lands didn't sound (and feel) like a war zone as it was!!! Good luck guys!! I'll be on private lands miles and miles away from any game lands If I even make it over to Pa this year. May be in Alaska since I've missed the past 2 years!! I needs me some Moose Meat!!!

bronko22000

I'm always on public land SH. And last year, except for some road hunters, I didn't see a single hunter in the woods other than my partner. I hunt on coal company property and state forest land exclusively. I don't know any land owners and I can't remember the last time I hunted a state game land property.