Bears and eagles
Ursus americanus
Updated Wednesday 4:55 pm
The state Department of Environment Conservation reported that the number of bears "harvested" in 2009 was the second-highest total on record. The DEC says hunters killed 1,487 black bears last year -- that's up 15 percent from the year before.
Most of the bears were killed in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Southern Tier -- but there were 21 kills in the four core counties of the Capital Region. Nineteen bears were taken in Saratoga County (including on in the Town of Saratoga) and two in Albany County (in Berne and Westerlo). That's up from 17 in the core Capital Region in 2008.
DEC says bear populations in New York State are growing.
Eagles: The DEC also reported this week that "preliminary results indicate that the bald eagle population in New York State may be at an all-time high since the state began its repopulation efforts more than 30 years ago."
Jackie spotted two bald eagles on the frozen Moreau Lake in January.
[via @woodzepper]
Earlier on AOA: Foxes and fishers and bears, oh my!
photo: Flickr user peupleloup
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Comments
Saw a few as well a couple of weeks ago while visiting the Constitution Marsh near Garrison, NY. (sorry B, had to. Or maybe not).
Bears are still threat #1 to our nation, so 1,487? Keep it up.
... said -S on Mar 3, 2010 at 3:50 PM | link
It's little known that I am in fact what's called an eagle whisperer. Those tiny eagles were actually very self conscious of their size, so I related a few personal stories about it not mattering and they felt a lot better.
And bears, well, come on, look at those ears.
... said B on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:05 PM | link
I saw a bald eagle at the Corning Preserve boat launch in late January, hanging out at the navigation light just north of the launch, where there was a hole in the ice from which lunch was being served. That's the first time I've spotted one in Albany, though I've frequently seen them both south (Schodack Island) and north (around Lock 2, Champlain Canal).
... said CJ on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:14 PM | link
An obvious lie, CJ; the Hudson in Albany hasn't had ice for a year now.
Where's my sarcasm punctuation?
... said B on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:35 PM | link
You got to finish the "all-time high" quote: "since the state began its repopulation efforts more than 30 years ago," kind of an important distinction.
Editors: You're totally right. We over-clipped. We extended the quote. Thanks.
... said Jackers on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:51 PM | link
Saw one near Pebbles Island about a yr ago. Kinda neat.
... said MattW on Mar 3, 2010 at 8:33 PM | link