The biggest bears in the lower 48 are in Pennsylvania. The problem is a short 3 day fair chase only season. The woods are to think and 3 days is rediculous. But if you see one, they are huge. There are a few exceptions when they have had extended seasons. These numbers are impressive for 2005, Bears were taken in 52 counties. The largest bear taken was a 733-pound (actual live weight) male in Fayette County. Other large bears included a 694-pound and 689-pound males from Centre County, 657-pound male in Lycoming County, 657-pound male in Wayne County. In all, 17 bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more.
http://www.philpash.com/?p=outdoors&a=inc&page=g020906 Pennsylvania Bear Record: Pennsylvania's hunters crushed the Commonwealth's all-time black bear harvest when they took 4,164 bruins in the regular and extended 2005 bear seasons in November and December, according to the official final tally released by the Game Commission. Hunters set the previous record of 3,075 bears in 2000.
Since 1999, more than 20,000 black bears have been harvested in Pennsylvania, making it one of the top bear hunting destinations in the eastern United States. Further sweetening the state's attraction to hunters is that 800-pound-plus black bears have been taken by hunters in recent years.
Bears were taken in 52 counties. The largest bear taken was a 733-pound (actual live weight) male in Fayette County. Other large bears included a 694-pound and 689-pound males from Centre County, 657-pound male in Lycoming County, 657-pound male in Wayne County. In all, 17 bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more.
Female hunters took 47 bears. Hunters who harvested a bear reported 4,107 used a rifle; 15 used a shotgun; 15 used a muzzleloader; 12 used a handgun; and nine used a bow. There were six who did not report the type of sporting arm used.
