There are several campsites that are accessible by motor vehicle in the Moose River Plains Recreation Area. The road between Indian Lake and Inlet provides access to the area.

Hunters who enter wilderness areas or camp in the Adirondack Park Preserve must comply with park regulations.

For details, contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 5 office, Route 86, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296; or phone (518) 897-1200 for the eastern portion of the Adirondacks. For information on the western portion of the Adirondacks, contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 6 Headquarters, 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601-3787; or call (315) 785-2239.

CATSKILL RANGE
The Catskill Mountains provide backcountry bear-hunting adventures nearly equal to the Adirondacks. About 60 percent of the land inside the Catskill Park boundary is privately owned. The Catskill Forest Preserve's public lands cover about 300,000 acres. Most people would be surprised to learn that there is such good bear hunting so close to one of the world's great cities.

"The Catskills had a lower gun harvest (last year)," Renar said. The bow harvest has been increasing for the past few years, so it kind of evened out."

Two new units were opened to bear hunting in the Catskill range last year. These areas accounted for 15 bears.

"The areas that were opened in the Catskills were more favorable habitat, so the bears were easier to find," Renar noted.

Mast crops are generally more abundant in the Catskill Mountains than in the Adirondack Mountains. Hunters who pay their dues and spend time scouting will improve their chances for success tremendously. Plan to get in there before the season and find the things bears are eating.

"The Catskills offer mixed mast, especially beech and oak," Renar pointed out. "Plus, there are more orchards. When you know where they are, they can be great places to hunt."

Look for the oaks on south-facing slopes at lower elevations. If you can locate white oak acorns, you are in the right place. Mast is scarce at higher elevations where conifers tend to dominate the forest.

Hunting pressure can keep bears moving on Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, where there are about 3,500 acres, marked by signs, open to hunting.

Most of the habitat consists of hardwood forest. Find acorns and then look for the nearest thick, nasty cover. One good tactic here is to intercept bears between feeding areas and the areas where they go when moved by other hunters. Expect bears to feed on acorns and then bed down in those steep slopes and mountain laurel thickets. Big Indian Wilderness Area covers about 33,500 acres in Ulster County west of state Route 47 and bordering Sullivan County on the southwest end. This is a good place to find a remote, primitive hunt reasonably close to New York City. About 30 miles of well-marked trails provide access for adventurous souls into a rugged wilderness area. The terrain is mountainous, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,860 feet. Bear hunters should stick to the lower elevations where there are mast-producing hardwoods.

On the western side of the Catskills, check out Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area, which covers 7,186 acres in Delaware County near Walton. This is steep hills terrain. The habitat here is primarily hardwood forest with some old orchards that can be bear magnets in "fruitful" years.

Start your scouting by gathering information and maps. A good place to start is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 4, 1150 Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306-2014; or call (518) 357-2234. Also, try the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 3 office, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561-1696; or call (845) 256-3098.