By Mike Roche

At the September meeting of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, held at Field Headquarters in Westborough, the agenda included a review of the management of the black bear population.

Dave Wattles, who serves as Black Bear and Furbearer Project Leader, presented an overview that included some history of the black bear in Massachusetts. The first black bear hunting season in the state was held in 1980 and 10 bears were killed in the six-day season. Ten years later, 29 bears were taken, and all were in the Berkshires where the population was centered.

Bears began to show up over time further east and eventually Franklin County had a viable population. Harvest numbers reflected that growth and movement, and the year 2000 harvest was 81, and 2010 produced a total of 145 bears. The expansion and population growth steadily continued, and the population made its way across the Connecticut River as season totals in 2019 and 2020 were 207 and 325.

Those increasing numbers, however, were not keeping up with the growing population and today it is estimated that over 5,000 bears are found in Massachusetts with nearly all living in the western two-thirds of the Bay State. Wattles made clear that the bears are re-colonizing Massachusetts, but not all of Massachusetts is ideal habitat for them. The reappearance of the species seems to elicit different responses from people and a study done by MassWildlife which measured peoples tolerance of bears showed that the further east you go from the New York border, the more that “not in my neighborhood” is how people feel about the bruins.

The North Quabbin Region has been prime bear habitat for years and most of us have had encounters with them. Much has been written about living with bears and MassWildlife has invested a lot of resources into educating people about bears. Bear damage is real, and bears create issues for homeowners who do not take necessary precautions, but they can really wreak havoc on agriculture, particularly those who plant corn. The best defense for farmers is bear hunters and farmers can also apply for a depredation permit. When bears are hunted, it is usually the more aggressive bears that venture out into crop fields that are taken by hunters.

Massachusetts is at a point where the population needs to be addressed. The science says that a 10% harvest should stabilize the numbers but that would require taking 500 bears and having a good percentage of the bears harvested being females. In his presentation, Wattles included a history of bear seasons which began with that six-day season in 1980.

Over time, that has evolved into a two and then three-segment season. Included has been an early segment in September, a November season, and recently allowing the taking of bears in the two-week shotgun season. Historically, that has resulted in an increase from six days to 47 days since 1980. What Wattles pointed out was a large period between segments of no hunting during a time when bears are active and he showed that most female bears den up by Dec. 1. The presentation included changes in bear hunting that would result in one longer season which would open in early September and run through the end of shotgun deer season.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Athol man gets 5 to 7 years for child rape

As I See It: Melania Trump’s nude photos — Art of pornography?

Heywood Healthcare emerges from Chapter 11, will remain an independent organization

Project Skydrop revealed as Boston meteorologist Dan Leonard

New estate recovery law curtails ‘unfair’ practice in Massachusetts

Project Skydrop treasure found in Wendell State Forest

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

Bear regulations are complicated when it comes to hunting implements. In Massachusetts, shotgun slugs are only allowed during the shotgun deer season. During the first two present bear season segments, rifles .23 caliber or larger are allowed. Revolvers, .357 caliber loaded with .357 Magnum cartridges, or a revolver chambered .40 caliber or larger are permitted during the first bear season. Muzzleloaders, .44 to .775 caliber, are allowed during all three segments and archery equipment is allowed during all three segments. The expanded season proposed would follow those same guidelines and would also create a youth bear permit which could be used by a youth when hunting with an adult so the adult would not be required to tag the bear, as only one bear tag is permitted.

That issue was discussed as there were some who had requested a second bear permit be allowed, but the staff wanted to be able to see what kind of increase the expanded season might produce before considering the second tag. There was considerable discussion and board members, after a number of comments, decided to include opening the expanded season on Labor Day and the board voted to approve having the proposed changes sent to the administration to approve a public hearing, or hearings, being scheduled. Given the lateness in the year, it is not likely that the process will be completed in time for the printing of the 2025 abstracts but that all needs to wait until the request for a hearing is approved.

Meanwhile, my ongoing preparation for upland bird season continues with daily runs in local cover to condition the dogs. It is amazing how dry things have become! After all that rain it has all changed and with the warm dry spell we are facing, all those wet spots are drying up. One extreme to another!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.