Bear Hunting Season Starts: Eager Hunters Put Out Illegal Bait

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — On opening day of early black bear hunting season, Sept. 11, an environmental conservation officer came across a hunting camp baited for bear in the town of Wawarsing.

First, early that morning, he saw one person bowhunting in a tree-stand over a large pile of corn and a mineral block. After approaching the bowhunter, he spotted a second gun-hunter in another tree stand baited with corn and molasses.

The officer cited both hunters for multiple violations, including hunting black bear with the aid of bait, placing a mineral lick on land inhabited by deer/bear, and additional lesser charges.

In addition, the hunters were not wearing fluorescent pink or orange, which is now required.