Pocono News Section

Bear Season Opens Monday

Bear Season Opens Monday - Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:19AM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 @ 11:19am EST

LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- The first day of bear season means a lot of hungry mouths to feed at Chick's Diner in Scranton.

"Definitely, definitely," said Chet Sakosky, who was cooking for the crowd. "It's good to have a good breakfast and start the day to go hunting."

We caught up with guys grabbing some grub here before they headed out to hunt black bear.

"I plan on going out and having some fun," said Ray Bigart of Berwick. "I'm going to the Lackawanna State Park with some friends, and just getting out."

With morning temperatures in the mid-30s and daytime highs reaching into the 50s this week, these guys aren't sure what to expect.

"Last year this time we had a little bit of snow, and that always makes it easier to track and see what's going on," said Bigart.

"Yeah, snow would've helped a little bit," said Victor Yordy of West Pittston. "I like hunting in the cold temperatures myself, but we'll take it."

We caught up with other hunters heading out near Gouldsboro.

"It's tradition. We do it every year," said Tom Jones of Gouldsboro. "We get a bunch of guys together, drive to the swamps, and whether we see anything or not doesn't matter anymore."

"Same as Tom. We've been doing it for so many years - a day out in the woods," added Ed Skillman of Clifton Township. "You see a bear? You see a bear. You don't? It's fine."

Even so, Jones said he wouldn't mind adding to his count.

"I've got three so far," he said. When we asked him over what span, he joked, "I've been hunting since I was 12, and I'm not going to tell you how old I am."

Bear season wraps up on Sunday. But those so-called hunters' widows will likely be alone again next week -- buck season kicks off next Monday.