2023 harvest report
The 245 bears harvested in 2023 was the fourth highest harvest ever. The September season harvest was the second lowest in a decade, likely due to the heat at the beginning of the season and several rainy Saturdays. Harvest numbers for November and the shotgun season were the second highest recorded for those time periods.
2023 totals by season:
- September: 118
- November: 50
- December: 77
- Statewide total: 245
Massachusetts black bear harvest by county
| Year | Total | Berkshire | Franklin | Hampden | Hampshire | Middlesex | Worcester | Plymouth |
| 2023 | 245 | 80 | 54 | 44 | 49 | 3 | 14 | 1 |
| 2022 | 223 | 79 | 51 | 34 | 43 | 2 | 14 | - |
| 2021 | 218 | 81 | 55 | 35 | 28 | 1 | 18 | - |
| 2020 | 325 | 113 | 80 | 62 | 48 | 1 | 21 | - |
| 2019 | 207 | 82 | 45 | 33 | 29 | 1 | 17 | - |
| 2018 | 204 | 78 | 41 | 47 | 22 | 3 | 13 | - |
| 2017 | 270 | 119 | 64 | 38 | 40 | - | 9 | - |
| 2016 | 283 | 106 | 57 | 65 | 42 | 1 | 12 | - |
| 2015 | 237 | 75 | 77 | 30 | 38 | 1 | 16 | - |
| 2014 | 240 | 78 | 56 | 51 | 43 | 4 | 8 | - |
| 2013 | 148 | 57 | 33 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 8 | - |
| 2012 | 185 | 47 | 56 | 39 | 36 | 1 | 6 | - |
| 2011 | 131 | 45 | 25 | 23 | 31 | - | 7 | - |
| 2010 | 144 | 57 | 42 | 16 | 26 | - | 3 | - |
| 2009 | 169 | 61 | 42 | 27 | 35 | 1 | 3 | - |
| 2008 | 100 | 41 | 24 | 9 | 23 | - | 3 | - |
| 2007 | 143 | 71 | 33 | 9 | 29 | 1 | - | - |
| 2006 | 148 | 76 | 32 | 17 | 18 | - | 5 | - |
| 2005 | 113 | 52 | 34 | 14 | 13 | - | - | - |
| 2004 | 146 | 56 | 30 | 33 | 27 | - | - | - |
| 2003 | 153 | 66 | 43 | 20 | 23 | - | 1 | - |
| 2002 | 116 | 50 | 27 | 21 | 17 | - | 1 | - |
| 2001 | 104 | 36 | 30 | 17 | 21 | - | - | - |
| 2000 | 81 | 33 | 21 | 9 | 18 | - | - | - |