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Mark Ternent Biographical Information

Mark Ternent is currently employed as a Wildlife Biologist in the Pennsylvania Game Comission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. He studies and manages Pennsylvania’s black bear population.

He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife-Fisheries Management from Frostburg State University, Maryland and a Master of Science Degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ternent has written many wildlife articles and reports and is a member of many wildlife study groups. He currently lives outside the State College area with his wife Rhonda.

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Calvin DuBrock Biographical Information

Calvin DuBrock has served as the Game Commission's Wildlife Management Director since 1991. He is responsible for directing the planning and operations of the agency's wildlife research and management programs.

DuBrock received a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Michigan State University, and a Master of Science in Wildlife Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.

DuBrock is married, has two sons, and resides in Hummelstown, Dauphin County.

Featured Story

Hunters Harvest More Elusive Black Bears Than Before

Black bears throughout Pennsylvania could not escape many hunters this past season which ran from November 21st – December 3rd. Full Story.

Bear hunting season reached a new state record this past November. Hunters throughout Pennsylvania harvested 3,331 black bears between November 21st and November 23rd. Bear season typically lasts 3 days.

Bear hunting season reached a new state record this past November. Hunters throughout Pennsylvania harvested 3,331 black bears between November 21st and November 23rd. Bear season typically lasts 3 days. This year, the extended bear season ran from November 28th to December 3rd. The extended season brought in 794 additional bears bringing the total number of bears harvested to 4.123 for Pennsylvania.

Bear biologist Mark Ternent spoke about the harvest data for this season saying, “We will be working to determine the harvest rate this season, so that we can finalize our 2006 bear season recommendations for the Board of Game Commissioners to consider at its upcoming meeting in January”.

Last years harvest saw a total of 2,972 during the initial and extended season.

Andrew Seman Jr. from Dunbar collected the largest bear: a 733-pound male. The bear was shot in Dunbar Township, Fayette County on November 22nd.

The state Game Comission estimates that there are almost 15,000 bears in Pennsylvania, roughly the same number as last year. The population has been well managed for about the last 10 years through seasons.

Black bears prefer forested and shrubby areas but will also use wet meadows, high tidelands, burned areas and avalanche chutes for their nesting area. Bigger bears are notorious for nesting in thick cover even when hunters pass closeby.

Ternent also said there are certain signs to look for while scouting including droppings, bedding areas (which are scratched out impressions), and active trails with tracks. A good time to scout is late October so you can evaluate local conditions.

Hunters working together often increase their odd of taking bears, especially those in thick cover. Even though bears are very large animals, they are often shockingly quiet moving through the forest. Staying alert is critical.

Black bears like to attack and eat dead animals, which makes humans feigning death at bear attacks ineffective. Like many animals, black bears rarely attack humans unless they feel threatened and typically run for cover before you catch a glimpse of one.

A major threat to the black bear is poaching or illegal killing to supply Asian markets with bear galls and paws. The demand for these parts also affects grizzly and polar bears.

Though Minnesota claims to have around 30,000 bears, Pennsylvania has the 2nd largest population in the United States with an estimated 15,000.

A strategy for managing Pennsylvania’s bear resource during the next 10 years is underway. The plan begins by reviewing what is known about the biology of bears, their history in Pennsylvania, population status, and a review of bear management techniques used throughout North America.

The mission statement is to maintain sustainable black bear populations in suitable habitats throughout the Commonwealth that provide hunting and viewing recreation without human-bear conflicts beyond levels acceptable to citizens of Pennsylvania.

Four goals necessary for achieving the mission:
-Ensure that black bear populations are healthy and self-sustaining
- Minimize loss of forested habitats and improve quality of existing forests for black bears
- Provide recreational opportunities that involve black bears
- Maintain human-bear conflicts at levels acceptable to Pennsylvania citizens.

Related Stories

Sneaky Black Bear Found Hibernating Under Home.

A black bear was found living under the porch of a home in the Poconos recently. Four children live in the home and the house is located near a school bus stop. State Wildlife officers will soon transfer the bear to a den in one of the state’s game lands.

On Sunday December 4th, Homeowner Pedro Sainvil sent his two children, ages 8 and 9, outside to play in the snow. After 15 or 20 minutes they went back inside screaming that there was a bear under the house.

The Pleasant Valley School District temporarily moved the bus stop to another part of the road until the bear was transported.

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Bear Hunter Clawed and Bitten by Black Bear.

A Cumberland County man was injured by a black bear he had shot on the first day of bear season. The bear weighed around 300 pounds.

Samuel Beauchamp, 47, of Newville, was clawed by the injured bear and bitten twice during the encounter, which occurred in Huntingdon County's Todd Township in the Rothrock State Forest near Cassville.

The bear, which had been shot four times, died at Beauchamp's feet shortly after he had been bitten the second time. The hunter was taken to the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, where he was treated and released.