The State Game Commission says it’s the time of year once again, when hungry bears are coming out of hibernation and are now on the move here in Pennsylvania, in search of an easy meal. That means they are beginning to show up as uninvited guests at backyards and camping areas. You can avoid black bear conflicts by removing potential food sources such as trash cans, outdoor pet bowls and food storage. The current bear population across Pennsylvania is estimated at 16,268 by the commission. That’s a big drop from the estimate of 20,000 last year, and for several years before that. But even with the reduction in overall numbers, there are a lot of hungry bears out there, and they can be found in nearly every county.
