Bear hunters in New York state’s Southern Zone set a new harvest record in 2025, with two of the heaviest bears in the state taken in Steuben and Chemung counties.
Overall, the 2025 statewide harvest total of an estimated 1,759 black bears was second only to the 2003 season, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced March 23.
Hunters in the Southern Zone, which covers most of the state, harvested an estimated 1,202 bears.
“The recovery and growth of New York’s bear population is testament to DEC’s vigilant wildlife management efforts,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “New York’s big game management plans help maintain populations at levels that are acceptable for local communities and provide sustainable hunting opportunities.”
The 10 heaviest bears recorded for the year were all taken in the Southern Zone. The heaviest bear recorded in 2025 was a 562-pounder shot during the regular season in Ulster County.
A 528-pounder shot in the Steuben County town of Woodhull during the regular season ranked fourth in the state. The heaviest bear shot during bowhunting season was a 499-pounder taken in the town of Horseheads in Chemung County. That bear ranked seventh overall.
Where harvests were up, down in Southern Tier
The bear harvest was up approximately 4% statewide over the 2024 season and 18% above the 10-year average.
One of the biggest increases in the Southern Tier came in Wildlife Management Unit 8X covering parts of Hornellsville, Canisteo, Jasper, Woodhull, Tuscarora, Lindley, Alfred, Andover and Independence, and all of Hartsville, Greenwood, Troupsburg and West Union. Forty bears were taken in WMU 8X in 2025, up from 24 in 2024.
WMU 8T also saw a notable bump in central Steuben County including parts of Hornellsville, Canisteo, Howard, Bath, Jasper, Woodhull, Campbell, Erwin and Addison, and all of Cameron, Thurston and Rathbone. Thirty-seven bears were taken in WMU 8T in 2025, up from 25 in 2024.
In 7S, covering the majority of Tioga and Broome counties, the harvest was up slightly from 30 to 32.
Other areas were down year over year. In 8Y, covering the southeastern corner of Steuben and all but northeastern Chemung County, totals dropped from 37 to 29. In 9P, covering much of Allegany County and southern Livingston County, the harvest dropped from 35 to 24.
The highest harvest density in the region came in 9Y, covering southeastern Allegany County, with 10.4 bears harvested per 100 square miles across parts of Wellsville, Scio, Andover, Independence, Willing, Ward and Alfred. Across the state, the highest density was in 3C with 21 bears harvested per 100 square miles.
2025 bear harvest totals in Southern Tier Wildlife Management Units
Here are bear harvest figures for notable Wildlife Management Units across the Southern Tier.
7S WMU
7R WMU
8T WMU
8P WMU
8X WMU
8W WMU
8Y WMU
9X WMU
9Y WMU
9P WMU
9W WMU
9N WMU
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Record bear harvest in New York’s Southern Zone. Who was up, down in Tier
Reporting by Chris Potter, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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