March 23, 2026
By Rich Davenport
On March 23, 2026, NYSDEC released two reports of great interest to the sporting community, showing 2025 was a record-setter in two critical areas – The 2025 Bear Harvest and safety of hunting in NYS.
Bear Harvest 2025
According to the press release announcing the bear harvest, 2025/ 2026 hunting season brought an estimated 1,759 Black Bear harvest, led by the highest harvest in NY’s southern zone since records began being kept in 1955.
Statewide bear harvest was up 4% over last year’s numbers, while being 18% above the 10-year average. The southern zone accounted for over 1,200 of those bears, which included the 10-heaviest bears harvested during the season. The northern zone, meanwhile showed a harvest of 557 bears, slightly lower than last season, but still above the 10-year average for that zone.
With bears now occupying most areas of NYS, excluding Long Island and NYC, all areas have seen bear hunting opened up, save for those units prohibiting big game hunting.
Notables from the 2025 Bear Season:
- 74: The number of Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), out of 88 open to bear hunting, with reported 2025 bear harvests.
- 562 pounds: The dressed weight of the heaviest 2025 reported bear, harvested in the town of Olive, Ulster County, WMU 3C.
- 668: The number of harvested bears from which DEC received pre-molar teeth to determine the bear’s age in 2025.
- 26 years: The age of the oldest bear harvested in 2024 (the most recent year for which age data are available). The bear was harvested in the town Mooers, Clinton County, WMU 5A.
- 21: Bears harvested per 100 square miles in WMU 3C, the highest harvest density of any WMU for the 2025 seasons.
As a reminder, spring is the time when bears emerge from their dens and begin their search for food in advance of their mating season. Residents are advised to make sure bird feeders are taken down during this time of year, with seeds and other spillage well cleaned up, garbage is well secured in sheds or garages, and if you didn’t have the chance to clean your grill at the end of last season, now is a good time to consider a good cleaning, especially in areas known for higher bear density. Once a bear finds easy food, it tends to keep coming back until those food sources are removed. Keeping a clean backyard area, especially during this time of year will help reduce any unwanted bear-human encounters.
Hunter Safety
Firearms accidents truly do not exist, as these are typically a result of carelessness or complacency. Many of these incidents can be prevented by remembering the basics of firearms handling at all times, coupled with remembering to unload your firearm when climbing over obstacles, climbing in and out of treestands and always hoisting up and lowering the firearm; never climb with a firearm, especially a loaded one!
The NYSDEC also released their annual Hunter-Related Shooting Incident (HRSI) Report for the 2025 hunting seasons. Safety continues to trend in the right direct, with the 2025 seasons (all combined) having a total of seven HRSI reported, five of which were self-inflicted. Two incidents involved multiple hunters, with one of those involving an unlicensed hunter who was hunting illegally. No fatalities were reported this year.
Treestand safety in NY has also been a concern over recent years, with nine falls from treestands or elevated positions being reported. Unfortunately, one of these incidents resulted in a fatality. Hunters are reminded that treestand safety is a matter of being diligent. Always inspect your treestand for any wear or age-related damage or fatigue before using. If the stand is permanently placed, check every secured point, and remember, trees grow in height and width
and will create instability, naturally. The use of a Fall Arresting System, or FAS, can mean the difference between having an exciting story to tell and a potentially life-altering, or ending incident.
A proper FAS includes:
- A full-body harness with shoulder, chest, and leg straps;
- A strap that attaches to the tree when in the stand;
- A tether strap that attaches the harness to the tree strap;
- A “lifeline” to keep a hunter safe while climbing and descending; and
- A suspension relief strap to be used in the event of a fall.
Hunters are reminded to “Strap Up Before You Go Up”, as this is the most effective way you come home from a day afield safe and sound when you leave the ground.