Page 37 - September/October Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

Black Bear Harvest Totals
70 for 2021

Black bear hunters enjoyed a good season
in 2021, taking a total of 70 bears compared
with 72 the year before. DESIREE BRANSON CLINE/READERS' PHOTO SHOWCASE 2021
Southeast Region Senior Wildlife Biologist
Jeff Ford said the weather was warm and dry
during the early part of archery season, lead-
ing to most of the bear harvest coming in the
first 10 days.
Archery hunters took 66 black bears, while
muzzleloader hunters could manage only four
bears this past year in the open hunting area
that includes all or portions of 12 counties in
southeastern Oklahoma.
2021 Black Bear Harvest
The record black bear
harvest for Oklahoma was Archery Muzzleloader
County Male Female Male Female Total
in 2018, when 85 bears Le Flore County 18 17 2 0 37
9
were taken. Latimer County 7 9 2 4 — — 15
0
Pushmataha County
2
9
1
8
“There were some really McCurtain County 42 24 — — 70
4
0
Grand Total
big bears harvested, with
several weighing over 500 pounds,” Ford said. white oak), which is most preferred by bears.
“One tipped the scales at 613 pounds.” The acorns will start falling around the first of
This summer’s hot and dry conditions could October, and bears are going to be searching
make the 2022 black bear hunting more chal- them out. If you’re not up on your tree species,
lenging, Ford said. “These conditions may affect there are some good apps you can download
the fall mast crop, making it harder to find some to help identify different trees.
good bear sign in the woods. So concentrate on All hunters wanting to pursue a black bear
water resources to find sign. Bears will frequent must buy either an archery or muzzleloader bear
watering holes when the weather is hot.” license before the opening dates of each season.
“I would say the most important thing to Archery bear season dates are defined in stat-
help with having a successful bear season is ute, running from Oct. 1 until the third Sunday
to find an area with fresh bear sign and then in October. In 2022, archery bear season will
just stay with it. Most successful bear hunters close Oct. 16. Archery bear season has no har-
start early in the season, and you may have to vest quota. Muzzleloader bear season will be
sit all day.” Weather is a big factor during bear Oct. 22-30, but the season will close as soon as
season; cold and wet conditions will make the a quota of 20 bears has been reached. Before
bears less active. they hunt, muzzleloader hunters must call for the
Bears are all about putting on weight without latest bear quota information at (888) 901-3256.
burning calories to do so. They will always return For more on black bear hunting, con-
to what is putting the most weight on them. sult the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting
“If you’re going to hunt on public land where Regulations at www.wildlifedepartment.com,
baiting for wildlife is not permitted, I would in the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app
suggest to start scouting for a place to hunt in for Apple and Android, or in print free at
early September. Look for acorns (preferably license dealers statewide.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 35