Bear Hunting in Pike County, Pennsylvania
Pike County is home to one of the densest black bear populations in Pennsylvania, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for bear hunters in the state. Nestled in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania along the Delaware River and bordered by New York to the north, Pike County’s vast forests — including portions of the Delaware State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — provide prime habitat for black bears that thrive in the region’s rugged terrain and abundant food sources.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages black bear hunting across the state through a combination of statewide seasons and special antlerless-only seasons. The statewide bear season typically runs for several days in November, timed to coincide with peak bear activity before denning season begins. Hunters in Pike County and throughout northeastern Pennsylvania also have access to extended seasons in certain Wildlife Management Units that see the state’s highest bear densities.
Bear hunting in Pennsylvania requires a valid hunting license and a bear license, both issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Licenses can be purchased online or through licensed agents across the state. Non-residents may also hunt bear in Pennsylvania with the appropriate non-resident licenses.
Pike County’s bear harvest is among the highest in the state in most years, a testament to both the population and the interest of hunters who travel to the region specifically for bear season. Local businesses in Milford, Dingmans Ferry, Hawley, and other Pike County communities see a noticeable uptick in activity during bear season as hunters stock up on supplies and fill local hotels and cabins.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission conducts ongoing research on the state’s black bear population, using harvest data, ear tags, and population surveys to manage the herd sustainably. Hunters who harvest a bear are required to report the kill and submit a tooth for aging, which contributes to this research.
The Pocono Review covers outdoor recreation and wildlife news from across the region, including hunting seasons, Game Commission updates, and bear activity reports from Pike, Monroe, Wayne, and Carbon counties.