PENNSYLVANIA - Black bears (Ursus americanus) can typically be found across approximately 75% of Pennsylvania, and have been reported in all 67 counties with confirmed sightings reported from each.
So, Many Bears Are There in Pennsylvania?
For decades, bear populations in Pennsylvania have been on an upswing, and now the Game Commission estimates there to be approximately 18,000. While still lower than their 1970 peak of 20,000 bears, this represents their successful recovery and should continue.
Bears are omnivores that consume various plant life, such as berries, roots, corn, beechnuts, grass table scraps, carrion honey, and insects. Bears gorge themselves during summer and fall months before entering hibernation during winter.
Bears tend to be active between dusk and dawn when not eating their food, consuming an estimated daily total of 20,000 Calories.
They are polygamous, with both males and females participating in mating and rearing of young. Females usually give birth for the first time at three.
Their cubs are born covered with fine dark hair that allows pink skin to show through, and typically measures 9 inches long and weigh 8-10 ounces when they first arrive.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission oversees bear populations to keep them at healthy levels where human-bear interactions do not cause too many conflicts by setting hunting seasons that reduce or stabilize areas with more significant conflicts while permitting expansion in areas with fewer interactions.
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