Amazingly, the South-Central Region would probably do even better if more hunters visited the area.

"The region's wildlife conservation officers have been calling for hunters to consider their areas," said Jerry Feaser, PGC press secretary.

Along Kittatinny Mountain in Franklin County, look to SGL 76 with 4,324 acres. SGL 76 is also connected to Buchanan State Forest, with over 69,000 acres west of Upper Strasburg.

In Huntingdon and Fulton counties, look to SGL 81, with 3,533 acres, at the bottom of Blacklog Mountain next to Shade Mountain, north of Fort Littleton. Also in Huntingdon County, try SGL 99, with over 3,500 acres; SGL 71, with 4,122 acres; and that portion of Rothrock State Forest along Jacks Mountain west of Route 747.

NORTHWEST REGION
There are plenty of bears in the northwestern part of the state -- the trouble is getting to them. Nevertheless, in two counties that comprise the bulk of Allegheny National Forest, there was a substantial harvest increase last season.

Warren County rose from 48 to 78 bruins last season, and Forest County went from 50 to 68. Jefferson County, which contains Clear Creek State Forest, also bolstered its numbers from 45 to 62. Only the western counties between Pittsburgh and Erie did not have substantial numbers, though all but Erie County recorded bears.

"Apparently hunters are just now realizing they may hunt around the Allegheny Forest," Feaser noted. "Warren and Forest counties have prime bear habitat," he added. "There are large tracts of wooded land that are open to the public. Hunters simply need to make the effort to get to these places."

Allegheny National Forest contains over 513,000 acres. Using the city of Warren as base, try the portion that lies east and west of Route 6, between Stoneham and Tiona. SGL 29, with over 9,300 acres, also lies west of that area in Watson Township.

The Warren County Visitors Bureau offers a wealth of information on the region, available at 1-800-624-7802.

In southern Forest County on the Clarion County border, look for another large portion of the state forest.

In addition, the area has SGL 24 with over 8,300 acres.

SOUTHEAST REGION
Blue Mountain is the boundary of the black bear's Southeast Region range. While a surprising number of bruins was taken in the mountain area two years ago, the number dropped considerably last year.

Schuylkill County was the only one to show a substantial bear harvest over the last two seasons. Both years came in with the same number of bruins -- 66.

In Schuylkill County, look to Weiser State Forest (19,200) acres along Blue Mountain and SLG 110 with nearly 10,100 acres. SGL 106 boasts another 9,374 acres, all in northern Berks County.

Dauphin County hunters recorded 40 bruins last year, down 10 from the previous season. In Dauphin County, look to another portion of Weiser State Forest along Berry Mountain, as well as SGL 210 with 11,124 acres, along Berry and Peters mountains.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
For additional information on hunting bear in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission in Harrisburg at (717) 787-4250, or log onto the agency's Web site at www.pgc.State.PA.us.

For travel information and accommodations, call 1-800-VISIT-PA.