Episode 12: Bear Conservation in the Keystone State

Episode 12: Bear Conservation in the Keystone State

Author: Pennsylvania Game Commission October 27, 2020 Duration: 59:31
Pennsylvania is home to more than 20,000 black bears and they can be found in all 67 counties. Whether you hunt bears or just enjoy learning about them, this episode is full of information about black bears in the Keystone State, including biology, behavior and much more. Mark Ternent is the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northcentral Region Wildlife Management Supervisor and has worked with bears for 30 years, including 20 of them as the agency’s bear biologist. Mark went from studying prairie chickens in the Midwest, to turkeys in the Ozarks, to grizzly bears in Wyoming and then to Pennsylvania as the agency’s black bear biologist in 2000. In Pennsylvania, we have 12 million people and a robust bear population, so regardless of where you live or recreate in the state, it’s possible for humans and bears to end up in the same places. The Game Commission receives about 5,000 reports of nuisance bears a year. Whether you want to see a bear in the woods or you’re trying to avoid a run-in, Mark shares some tips on how we can best live together in Penn’s Woods.

There’s a particular feeling that comes from swapping stories with good company under an open sky, and that’s the spirit we try to capture in every episode of Call of the Outdoors. Produced by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, this podcast brings together voices who live and breathe the state’s wild places. You’ll hear from biologists, wardens, hunters, and conservationists, all sharing their deep, firsthand knowledge. Conversations range from the intricate management of local habitats and the science behind tracking species, to the timeless traditions of hunting and the simple joys of noticing nature’s details. It’s not all serious talk-expect genuine laughter and personal anecdotes that remind you of a friendly chat around a campfire. Each installment offers a specific, grounded look at a piece of Pennsylvania’s natural world, whether it’s following the journey of a black bear, understanding the role of prescribed fires, or exploring how communities get involved in protecting their local environment. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that connect you to the ongoing story of wildlife and wilderness stewardship in the Keystone State.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 71

Call of the Outdoors
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