New York hunters harvested an estimated 1,685 bears during the 2024 hunting season, a 24% increase from the previous year, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The latest figures also show the bear harvest was about 13% higher than the five- and 10-year averages, highlighting a robust and stable bear population across the state.
“New York’s healthy bear population continues to provide excellent hunting opportunities,” said DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Jacqueline Lendrum. “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.”
The 2024 harvest included 657 bears from the Northern Zone and 1,028 from the Southern Zone. The highest harvest densities were recorded in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) within the Catskills and western Adirondacks. Notably, WMUs 3C and 6C saw more than 14 bears harvested per 100 square miles.
DEC officials believe widespread drought conditions contributed to the increased harvest. During dry periods, bears are more likely to venture farther in search of food, increasing their encounters with hunters.
Some notable statistics from the 2024 season include:
- 14.4 bears per 100 square miles harvested in WMU 6C, the highest density recorded.
- 564 pounds: the heaviest bear, taken in Wilton, Saratoga County.
- 677 harvested bears had pre-molar teeth submitted for age analysis.
- 46 taxidermists and meat processors participated in DEC’s data collection efforts.
DEC’s bear harvest estimates are based on mandatory hunter reports and physical examinations conducted by DEC staff and participating taxidermists. In fall 2025, the agency will send a commemorative patch and age confirmation to hunters who reported their harvest and submitted a bear tooth for analysis.
The full 2024 Bear Harvest Summary, including maps and data, is available on DEC’s website.
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