Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters started the 2012 black bear season by taking a preliminary harvest of 1,530 black bears in 51 counties on Saturday, Nov. 17, the first day of the four-day statewide bear season. Archery and other early bear season harvest data still is being entered into the Game Commission’s database, and is not available at this time. The 2012 first-day preliminary harvest compares with 1,936 in 2011, which is when hunters harvested a season record of 4,350 bears. Also, in 2010, hunters harvested 1,751 on the first day of the season, which was the first season to open on a Saturday. Other first-day harvest totals were 1,897 in 2009; 1,725 in 2008; 1,005 in 2007; 1,461 in 2006; 2,026 in 2005; 1,573 in 2004; 1,454 in 2003;1,348 2002; 1,812 in 2001; and 1,691 in 2000. The top 10 bears processed at check stations by Monday all had estimated live weights that exceeded 530 pounds. Timothy J. Moffett, of Ba...

A Kane man escaped injury when his vehicle hit a bear in Clearfield County over the weekend. Police say at just before midnight on Saturday 36-year-old Philip Heasley was traveling north on Route 153 when his vehicle hit the bear, veered off the road and hit an embankment. Police say Heasely was wearing his seatbelt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Hunters interested in learning the age of the bear they harvested during the 2011 seasons can log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website ( www.pgc.state.pa.us ). To access the database providing this information, click on “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then click on “Hunting,” scroll down and click on “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing, and then scroll down and click on “Black Bear Age Data” in the “Reference” listing. “As a cost-cutting measure, the Game Commission no longer mails a certificate and letter to successful bear hunters notifying them of their bear’s age,” said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. “To maintain this valued customer service, however, we provide hunters with a certificate at the check station when their bear is processed, and information about how and when they can find the age data, which is determined by examining a tooth from the bear that is extracted as part of the check station processing, on our websit...

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Our sales manager Peggy found a stranger in her yard as she was leaving for work this morning, so she snapped a few pictures. Her husband named him "Sabre" because he said he didn't want a bruin in his yard. ( Good one!)

A caller to this morning's "Around the Home with Bob Harris" asked how to keep raccoons away from his plum tree. He sent us pictures of the cute critters, who may be a little surprised if Nick uses the cayenne peppper method to keep them away. If you missed today's "Around the Home," or any other show from this season, go here to listen on demand. Nick also sent us a picture of one of the bears that's been visiting his neighborhood.

Warren, Pa. – On Friday, September 3rd, the Allegheny National Forest will present an illustrated evening program on the American black bear. The program will explore and discuss the various ways North American generations have identified with black bears. Topics will also include folklore, history, biology, and safety in bear country. The program will take place at 8:00 p.m. near the Kinzua Beach bath house. There is no charge for attendance or parking. Please bring your own chairs, blankets, and flashlights.