2024 New York State Bear Harvest Reports 24% Increase

Hunters in New York State harvested around 1,685 bears during the 2024 hunting season according to a new report from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The 2024 harvest was 24 percent higher than in 2023 and about 13 percent higher than the five- and 10-year averages according to the NYS DEC. OF the two New York State zones, about 657 bears were harvested in the Northern Zone and about 1,028 bears in the Southern Zone.

New York’s healthy bear population continues to provide excellent hunting opportunities. Data collected and voluntarily submitted by hunters, taxidermists, and meat processors through the Black Bear Management Cooperator Program allows DEC to monitor trends to ensure the bear population remains robust and hunting traditions continue for the long term. - NYS DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Jacqueline Lendrum

According to the NYS DEC, statewide drought conditions most likely contributed to the elevated bear harvest last year. Natural food sources for bears can become scarce and bears may travel farther in search of food or congregate around available food sources.

Some interesting facts from the NYS DEC:

Last year (2024), the heaviest-dressed bear reported weighed in at 564 pounds. The bear was harvested in the Town of Wilton in Saratoga County. The oldest bear harvested in 2023 was 21. That bear was harvested in the Town of Webb in Herkimer County.

How does the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation estimate annual bear and deer harvests? Well, check out the short video below. For more information about the 2024 bear harvest season, visit the NYS DEC bear harvest website.