Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 39) Bear Season & Bag Limits Statewide Bear Season: Archery - WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B & 4D Wildlife Management Units 3C and that portion of 3B east of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, east of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and east of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E east of Rt. 42. Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties, and 3B in Lycoming County, that lie north of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Route 220 from the Rt. 405 Bridge, west to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, Rt. 220 south to the Mill Hall exit S.R. 2015 to Rt. 150. Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to Farrandsville Rd. (S.R. 1001). West on S.R. 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., east to the intersection of Rt. 664 at Swissdale. North on Rt. 664 to the intersection of Little Plum Rd. (S.R. 1003) then south on S.R. 1003 to Park Ave. (S.R. 1006) to Woolrich to the Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44 north to Rt. 973, Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, to Rt. 864, south on Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and west on Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and west of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Nov. 24-26 Nov. 19-20 Dec. 1-6 (To hunt bears during the bear bow season hunters need a general hunting license and a bear hunting license.) Wildlife Management Units 4C, 4D and 4E Rockview Prison Dec. 3-6 Dec. 1-6 (Contact prison for access details and updated information; www.cor.state.pa.us) DAILY AND SEASON LIMIT: ONE BEAR PER LICENSE YEAR, ANY AGE REGULATIONS: Arms & Ammunition: 1) Manually operated centerfire rifles, handguns and shotguns with all lead bullet or ball, or a bullet designed to expand on impact (buckshot is illegal); 2) muzzleloading long guns of any type, 44 caliber or larger, or a muzzleloading handgun 50 caliber or larger; and 3) long, recurve, compound or crossbows with broadheads of cutting edge design. Crossbow draw weight minimum of 125 pounds not to exceed 200 pounds. Crossbows not permitted during the archery only season, except for authorized permit holders. Fluorescent Orange Requirements Bear hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined. (Example: a portion of the orange must appear on a cap and coat/vest so as to be visible 360 degrees.) Camouflage fluorescent orange may satisfy this regulation if the total orange content is at least 250 square inches. When hunting in an area with a concurrent fall turkey season, archery bear hunters must wear a hat containing a minimum of 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange when moving. The hat may be removed when the archer is stationary or on stand. Tagging, Reporting Requirements A successful bear hunter must complete all information on tag and attach to head (ear) of the animal immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. In addition, within 24 hours each hunter who harvests a bear must take the animal, along with his hunting license and bear license, to a Game Commission check station for examination. Bear check stations are maintained at the Commission’s six region offices and at other locations listed in this section. Bears should be field-dressed before being brought to a check station, as Game Commission personnel do not need to examine reproductive tracts. Once you have used your tag it is unlawful to possess it in the field. Also, please remember to remove your old hunting license from the holder before you place your current license in the holder to prevent accidentally using a tag from a previous year to tag your bear and unintentially violate the law. Restrictions It is unlawful to 1) kill a bear in a den; 2) use a radio to locate a bear to which a radio transmitter has been attached; 3) hunt on areas where artificial or natural bait, hay grain, fruit, nuts, salt, chemicals, minerals, including residue or other foods are used, or have been used, as an enticement to lure wildlife within the past 30 days; 4) use scents or lures. It is also unlawful to hunt bears in a party of more than 25 persons. Bear licenses must be purchased prior to the opening of the regular firearms deer season. Bear Feeding Ban It is unlawful to “intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemicals, salt or other minerals that may cause bears to congregate or habituate in an area.” In addition, if nuisance bears are being attracted to an area by any other wildlife feeding, wildlife conservation officers can issue written notice to temporarily halt the activity. http://www.cor.state.pa.us
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