Hunters In New York Killed 1,420 Black Bears In 2017

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Hunters in New York state took 1,420 black bears in 2017, down from the previous year.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says hunters killed 119 fewer black bears last year than in 2016. The hunting season total in 2017 also was slightly below the five-year average for New York.

The heaviest bear reported to state officials was 550 pounds. It was killed in the town of Lexington in Greene County.