The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) attempts to capture and ear-tag approximately 600 bears per year statewide. This tagging is the means by which the PGC estimates the size of the bear population in Pennsylvania.
Using some simple mathematical formulas, the population estimate is calculated based on the number of tagged and non-tagged bears that are harvested and the number of bears known to be wearing tags during the hunting season. Bears are being trapped and ear-tagged by the PGC at the Penn State Stone Valley Forest this summer to supplement other PGC tagging efforts occurring in Huntingdon County. Bears are captured using a variety of techniques, all of which are humane, safe, and leave the bears unharmed. All bears are released at the site of capture shortly after being tagged.

Visit the PA Game Commission's Website.