New York bear hunters posted one of the strongest seasons in state history during the 2025-26 hunting year, harvesting an estimated 1,759 black bears statewide. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, that total ranks as the second-highest statewide bear harvest since modern tracking began in 1955, trailing only the 2003 season.
For New York hunters, it is another sign that the state’s black bear population remains healthy and widely distributed, while regulated hunting continues to play a major role in managing bear numbers and reducing conflicts.
Southern Zone Leads the Way
The biggest headline came from the Southern Zone, where hunters took an estimated 1,202 bears — the highest Southern Zone harvest ever recorded.
The Northern Zone produced an estimated 557 bears, down slightly from 2024 but still above the 10-year average.
Southern Zone bears now account for the majority of New York’s annual harvest, a major shift from decades ago when most bears were concentrated in traditional strongholds like the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Season Breakdown: Firearms Still Dominates
The regular firearms season remained the top producer in 2025:
- Regular season: 1,103 bears
- Bow season: 454 bears
- Early season: 182 bears
- Muzzleloader: 14 bears
- Youth season: 6 bears
For hunters, the data reinforces what many already know: firearms season remains king, but bow opportunities continue to contribute significantly to annual harvest totals.
Hotspots by Region
DEC reported that hunters harvested bears in 74 of 88 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) open to bear hunting.
Bear harvest densities were strongest in the state’s classic bear country:
- Catskills
- Adirondacks
- Allegheny Mountains
Among individual units, WMU 3C posted the highest harvest density at 21 bears per 100 square miles.
Other notable units included:
- 6C in the Northern Zone, where DEC says long-term harvest trends continue upward
- 9S, 9R, and 9Y in western/central Southern Zone, all strong producers in 2025
Biggest Bear of the Year
The heaviest reported bear in New York during the 2025 season weighed 562 pounds dressed and was harvested in Ulster County (WMU 3C). DEC noted that all 10 heaviest bears reported in 2025 came from the Southern Zone.
What It Means for Hunters and Biologists
For hunters, strong harvest numbers usually point to continued opportunity and robust bear numbers across much of the state.
For bear biologists, the report shows a long-term trend that has been developing for decades: bears have expanded into more areas of New York, now occupying most of the state outside Long Island and New York City.
DEC also noted some formerly “incompatible for bears” areas now hold established populations, meaning future management strategies may continue evolving.
Hunterizer Takeaway
New York continues to offer some of the best black bear hunting in the Northeast. With near-record harvest numbers, expanding range, and productive WMUs across both zones, the Empire State remains a serious destination for bear hunters.
Hunters planning future seasons should pay close attention to Southern Zone opportunities, but traditional Northern Zone country still produces mature bears and classic backcountry hunts.
Original Report
Read New York’s 2025 Bear Harvest Summary Report here:
https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/2025BearHarvestSummaryReport.pdf
