NEW YORK - New York State's black bear population has reached historic levels, with an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 bears roaming the state as of 2026. While bears were once restricted to the most remote mountain peaks, they have expanded their range into nearly every county outside of New York City and Long Island.
According to the most recent 2025–2026 harvest data from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the "bear capital" of the Empire State is firmly rooted in the Catskills.
The Heavyweight Champion: Ulster County
For those tracking the highest density and total volume of bears, Ulster County is the current leader. In the 2025 season, the town of Olive in Ulster County produced the state’s heaviest recorded bear—a massive 562-pound male.
Ulster consistently ranks at the top because it sits in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, which boasts the highest black bear density in New York. Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 3C, located primarily within Ulster, recorded a staggering 21 bears harvested per 100 square miles in 2025—the highest density in the state.
Top Bear Regions by Harvest (2025–2026)
New York divides its bear management into two main zones. The Southern Zone recently set a new record, accounting for 1,202 of the state's 1,759 harvested bears.
- The Catskills (Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware): The densest population in the state.
- The Adirondacks (Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Franklin): The largest total area of bear habitat.
- The Allegany Mountains (Cattaraugus, Allegany): A major stronghold in Western New York.
The Two Worlds of New York Bears
1. The Southern Zone (The Catskills & Beyond)
The Southern Zone is currently the engine of New York's bear growth. In 2025, it accounted for nearly 70% of the total statewide harvest. Counties like Sullivan and Orange have seen rapid population increases as bears move out of the mountains and into more suburban environments where food (like bird feeders and unsecured trash) is plentiful.
2. The Northern Zone (The Adirondacks)
The Northern Zone, centered on the Adirondack Park, remains the most "wild" bear territory. While harvest densities are lower here than in the Catskills (due to the vast, inaccessible wilderness), counties like Hamilton and St. Lawrence host deep-woods bears that often live much longer lives. In 2024, a bear harvested in Clinton County was confirmed to be 26 years old.
Why are the Numbers Skyrocketing?
The 2025 harvest was the second-highest in New York history (trailing only 2003). Biologists attribute this to several factors:
- Habitat Recovery: Former farmland in the Southern Tier has reverted to the dense brush and secondary forests that bears love.
- The "Spillover" Effect: New York's populations are being bolstered by bears moving north from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, both of which have extremely high bear densities.
- Climate & Food: Mild winters and strong "mast" years (plentiful acorns and beech nuts) have led to higher cub survival rates across the state.
Notable Record-Breakers
New York bears are getting bigger. While the average adult male weighs around 300 pounds, the state regularly produces "super-bears":
- The 2025 Heavyweight: A 562-pound male taken in Ulster County.
- The 2024 Heavyweight: A 564-pound male taken in Saratoga County.
- The All-Time Record: New York has recorded bears weighing over 750 pounds in the past, primarily in the Catskill region.
A Note on Bear Management
The DEC uses regulated hunting to keep the population at a level that the habitat—and the human neighbors—can support. Currently, 74 out of 88 Wildlife Management Units in the state are open for bear hunting.
Safety Reminder: If you are hiking in the Catskills or Adirondacks, remember that you are in bear country. Use bear-resistant canisters for food, keep dogs on a leash, and never approach a bear. As the range continues to expand, being "BearWise" is becoming a standard part of New York life.
