In the Southern Zone, which includes both the Catskill range and the Allegany range, it is illegal to shoot a cub or a bear that should be known to be a cub, shoot any bear from a group of bears, or shoot or take a bear from its den.

ALLEGANY RANGE
The Allegany Mountains are distinctly different from the Adirondack and Catskill ranges. This is the northern end of the deeply eroded Allegheny Plateau. Except for pine and spruce plantations, it is mostly hardwoods forest. There are no wilderness areas. However, there are several state forests and wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. These tracts are much smaller than the forest preserves, yet they provide ample public hunting grounds.

Two new units were opened to bear hunting in the Allegany Range last year.

"Hunters tagged seven additional bears from western New York following the change, so it wasn't a dramatic increase but it was there," Renar said.

Food for bears is relatively rich and varied in the Allegany range. Hard mast crops are more reliable than in other parts of the state. There are extensive oak forests and beech is plentiful. Of course, beech production is down all across the state since beech bark disease passed through.

But timbering operations on state forests lead to good crops of blackberries and raspberries. Much of the area surrounding the region's state forests and wildlife management sections is farmland, and bears are notorious for raiding corn fields and other fall crops.

One of the top areas for bear hunting in this range is South Valley State Forest. It is situated in southwestern Cattaraugus County close to the Pennsylvania border and features 5,366 acres of steep hills.

Access is simple off the Steamburg exit from Interstate Route 86 by way of Onoville Road. Habitat is entirely hardwoods forest with some recently-timbered sections where downed treetops are used as cover by bears. As always, hunters should scout for oaks that are producing acorns.

Allegany County consistently yields good bear harvests. One of several public lands open to hunting is Vandermark State Forest, a 2,384-acre tract a few miles north of Wellsville.

This forest is dominated by hardwood stands broken only by a few conifer plantations. Surrounding farmland makes this the ideal home and refuge for bears over a wide area.

Steuben County led the Allegany range in bear harvests during the five-year span from 1999-2003, with an average of 23.6 animals per year.

Like other Allegheny Plateau counties, there is plenty of public land. Try Erwin Wildlife Management Area, which covers 2,490 acres, or Erwin Mountain State Forest, with 507 acres bordering the southern edge about five miles west of Corning.

Habitat is primarily hardwoods forest but with some conifer plantations, wetlands and openings. Timbering has created some thick cover.

Take the Cooper's Plains exit from I-85 and follow Smith Hill Road. Get maps and other information about these public lands from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 9 office, 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203-2999; or call (716) 851-7000. Also, try the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8 office, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414-9519; or call (585) 226-2466.

If you really want to get serious about black bear hunting in New York, study Successful Black Bear Hunting, by Bill Vaznis. The book is available from bookstores nationwide, or autographed copies may be ordered from Successful Black Bear Hunting, P.O. Box 131, Conesus, NY 14435. New York residents add sales tax for a total of $32.35.

For more information about bear hunting in New York, contact the DEC's Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 402-8919, or visit their Web site at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/.

For travel information, try the New York Division of Tourism (North America Group Travel), Empire State Development, Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Room 110, Albany, NY 12223; or call (800) CAL-LNYS, Ext. 47624.