Along with that growth comes more opportunities for hunters to harvest a bear. This year 2,122 black bears were harvested in the combined seasons as of Tuesday according to the state game commission.

Even with the increase in the bear population, only about 3% of the hunters will kill a bear, according to the state.

For Lucas Groover, 29, of Roaring Branch, who has been hunting since he was 12-years-old, the opportunity to get his first bear came this year on a drive with his brother and good friend.

Saturday was the start of rifle bear season in Pennsylvania and by the afternoon the state had about 90 bears that had been harvested. By early afternoon the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Department weigh in location had processed 6 bears. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I just started seeing corn stalks going side to side. And I was like, oh man, this is either, like, a big buck or a bear coming. They got like 50 yards out and he popped right out of the corn there and looked at me and I took two shots at him and he got down. I didn’t know what to do, my heart was beating so fast,” said Groover.

“It was just perfect,” he said with a smile.

“Just having me and my brother and my buddy there, it just made the moment come true,” added Groover.

Groover’s bear weighed in at about 349 pounds at the state check station at the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Company on Saturday.

In Pennsylvania, a successful hunter must take their bear to a Game Commission check station within 24 hours, according to the state.

Michael Hornberger talks with Pa Game Commission officials Saturday during the start of rifle bear season at the weigh in location at Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Department. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The bears are field dressed before arriving at the check station to preserve meat quality, according to Mercy Melo, environmental education specialist with the state game commission.

There, the bear’s weight — called a dressed weight — is taken and then 18% is added to estimate the live weight. The animals are also checked for mange, and a tooth is pulled and cut in half, to estimate the age of the bear.

“It grows a ring every year, just like a tree grows a ring,” said Melo.

Emmitt Wagner, of Lycoming, has been hunting since he was 6 years old and also harvested his first bear this year.

“I’ve been hunting bear for as long as I can remember with my pap, Jim Wagner, and this year on one drive and first drive they ran down to me and my friend just told me to shoot him, so I did,” shared Wagner.

Saturday was the start of rifle bear season in Pennsylvania and by the afternoon the state had about 90 bears that had been harvested. By early afternoon the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Department weigh in location had processed 6 bears. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mike Groover, of Roaring Branch, was just as excited for his son Lucas and hopes to share these experiences with the younger generation in his family.

“I’ve never got one, that’s my boy’s first bear. I can’t describe it. It’s just an awesome experience to see him get one,” said a proud Mike.

“That’s an awesome experience. Come through the generations. My grandsons and I are going to start hunting, and it’s a good experience, good family time,” added Mike.

Saturday was the start of rifle bear season in Pennsylvania and by the afternoon the state had about 90 bears that had been harvested. By early afternoon the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Department weigh in location had processed 6 bears. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette