Pocono News Section

Man Nabs 560-Pound Black Bear in Sullivan Co.

Man Nabs 560-Pound Black Bear in Sullivan Co. - Monday, November 24, 2008 at 5:30PM EST

It's a big day for Pennsylvania hunters. Monday marks the start of the state's 3-day bear season. The Pennsylvania Gaming Commission says hunters are expected to bring in about 3,500 hundred bears. The commission says some of the biggest black bears are here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Karl Hennnings heads into Tobyhanna State Park for the first day of bear season. He's been hunting for 65 years. Hennings says, "Just being able to get over the rocks and the stumps and the swamp. It's something that most people can't do at my age."

Hennings and many other hunters are looking for bears Monday morning. Bob Pitcavhegh is getting his gun ready here in Springbrook Township. "I'm just going out for the camaraderie with the guys. I don't care if I get one. It's more friendship and bonding with the guys," he said.

But Pitcavhech says he's seen a couple of bears the past few years. He hopes to get one this time around.

Chris Decresenza is ordering his pre-hunt meal at Chicks Diner in Scranton. Decresenza says, "It's just a day to get out there and enjoy the woods even if you don't get a bear. You got to love it."

The love of the hunt is why Mike Kersavage hits the woods every year. Kersavage says, "I've been hunting since I was 12, that's about 25 years or so, and it's just the release and the freedom of it is fantastic. It just gives me more piece of mind than anything."

Eyewitness News was in Dushore, Sullivan County, where a hunter was showing off his 560 pound black bear. Bill Chambers of West Chester was in the woods for just an hour Monday morning near Sonesville when the bear crossed his path.

And for the next three days, hunters hope to get a piece of bear too. There's roughly 15,000 thousand black bears in Pennsylvania. Since 1992, hunters have killed 6 bears that weighed 800 pounds or more.