The 2014 early bear hunting season opens at sunrise Saturday, Sept. 13 in the northern zone.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has expanded bear hunting in northern New York to include WMU 6A, which in St. Lawrence Country includes the area roughly north of US Rt. 11. Bear hunting there begins with bowhunting equipment only from Sept. 13 through Oct. 17.

In the rest St. Lawrence County (WMUs 6C, 6F, and 6J), the early firearms season runs Saturday, Sept. 13 to Oct. 17.

Muzzleloader season then opens in all the North Country on Oct. 18, followed by the regular firearms season for bear on Oct. 25.

During these early seasons, or whenever hunting in warm conditions, bear hunters should be prepared to skin and cool harvested bears as soon as possible to protect the quality of the meat, DEC advises. Hunters may consider skinning and quartering the bear in the field and packing out the meat in game bags.

DEC regulates black bear hunting to manage populations toward levels that are acceptable to the public. Information about black bear hunting in New York, including season dates and regulations, is available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7857.html. Additionally, DEC’s booklet Hunting the Black Bear in New York (www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bbhunting10.PDF), includes tips on bear hunting and proper care of harvested bears.