In 2003 and 2004, Vermont hunters harvested 721 and 718 bears, respectively. As was true in other parts of northern New England, Those were poor mast-producing years, and bears had to roam larger areas to find food, making them more susceptible to hunters. Last year, however, acorns and other foods were in abundance. Bears had to travel less to find food, and hunting was more of a challenge. The preliminary harvest fell to 439, according to John Hall, an information officer with Vermont Fish and Wildlife.

No new changes are planned for this year. The state's two-and-one-half month season will run from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15. No special bear license is required, but hunters must possess a big-game hunting license. The cost for residents is $16, and $90 for non-residents.

Although black bear are harvested annually throughout much of Vermont, their core habitat will be found along the spine of the Green Mountains and in the northeast corner of the state. In recent years, Wildlife Management Units D2 and E in the Northeast Kingdom area and WMUs C, D1, G, H1, I, J1, L, M1, N, P and Q -- which take in the north-central area along the border with Quebec and Green Mountain region south to the Massachusetts border -- have been among the top producers. Considering that these areas provide the best habitat in the state and the largest concentration of bears, expect them to lead the way again this fall.

For more information, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at (802) 241-3700; or visit them at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

MASSACHUSETTS
Hunters in Massachusetts had a fair season in 2005, taking 113 bears. That is the lowest number since 2002, when 116 bears were harvested -- and well below the 153 and 146 taken in 2003 and 2004 -- but the fourth highest since 1996. An abundance of berries and hard mast undoubtedly encouraged bears to travel less in search of food and kept them in more secluded areas, contributing to the lower harvest.

The season is split into two segments, including about 17 days in September (Sept. 5 to 23), in an effort to control agricultural damage. This is a good time to contact dairy farmers with fields of corn and silage who may be experiencing trouble with bears. The MassWildlife district offices often maintain a list of areas where damage is being reported.

The second season will run from Nov. 6 to 25, which is a good time to hunt hardwood areas and ridgetops where natural foods are most abundant.

Hunters should keep in mind that bear hunting is allowed only in zones 1 through 9, which include Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. Statistically, the largest bear harvests in recent years have come from west of the Connecticut River. These counties offer some of the largest tracts of undeveloped land in the commonwealth, include some of the state's most extensive agricultural areas and contain some of the largest wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the state, all of which are open to hunting.

You can obtain a list of WMAs from any MassWildlife district office or on the agency's web site.

During the 2005 seasons, Berkshire County produced 52 bears followed by Franklin County (34), Hampden County (14) and Hampshire County (13). No bears were harvested in Worcester County.

A $5 bear-hunting permit is required in addition to the basic hunting license. Bear-permit applications are available at MassWildlife district offices or online. Resident licenses cost $27.50 and non-resident big-game licenses cost $99.50.

For more information, contact MassWildlife at (508) 792-7270 or visit the agency's Web site at www.mass.gov/wildlife.

Find more about New England fishing and hunting at: NewEnglandGameandFish.com.