Black bear harvest data

Find the number of bears harvested in Massachusetts over the past two decades.
Bear check sign

2022 harvest report

The 223 bears harvested in 2022 was the sixth highest harvest ever and the second highest in the last 5 years. The November season bear harvest was near average compared to the last 10 years. Harvest numbers for the shotgun season were low compared to previous years, likely a result of bears denning earlier due to the lack of hard mast.

2022 totals by season:

  • September: 155
  • November: 35
  • December: 33
  • Statewide total: 223

Massachusetts black bear harvest by county

Year

Total

Berkshire

Franklin

Hampden

Hampshire

Middlesex

Worcester

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

-

-

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