New York hunters harvested an estimated 1,759 black bears during the 2025-26 hunting seasons, marking the second-highest total on record.
State officials said the total was about 4% higher than 2024 and 18% above the 10-year average, with the Southern Zone setting a new record for bear harvest.
Hunters in the Southern Zone took an estimated 1,202 bears, the highest ever recorded in that region.
The Northern Zone accounted for 557 bears, slightly below 2024 totals but still above the 10-year average.
Officials said the Southern Zone’s growth reflects a long-term expansion of bear populations across the state.
Bears once lived mostly in remote areas such as the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Allegheny mountains.
Over the past 70 years, their range has expanded to most of New York, excluding Long Island and New York City.
The Southern Zone surpassed the Northern Zone in harvest totals for the first time in 1998 and has led for the past two decades.
Data from the 2025 season showed bears were harvested in 74 of 88 wildlife management units open to hunting.
The heaviest reported bear weighed 562 pounds and was taken in Ulster County.
Hunters submitted 668 teeth samples to determine age, part of ongoing monitoring efforts.
The highest harvest density was recorded in one unit with 21 bears taken per 100 square miles.
Officials said the Northern Zone remains a key destination for hunters, where bears tend to live longer despite slower growth.
“The recovery and growth of New York’s bear population is testament to DEC’s vigilant wildlife management efforts,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “New York’s big game management plans help maintain populations at levels that are acceptable for local communities and provide sustainable hunting opportunities.”
State officials compile harvest estimates using hunter reports and physical examinations conducted by staff and partners.
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