HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters started the 2009 black bear season by taking a preliminary harvest of 1,897 black bears in 50 counties on the first day of the three-day statewide bear season.

The 2009 first-day preliminary harvest compares with 1,725 in 2008; 1,005 in 2007; 1,461 in 2006; 2,026 in 2005; 1,573 in 2004; 1,454 in 2003;1,348 2002; 1,812 in 2001; and 1,691 in 2000.

The top 10 bears processed at check stations on Monday all had estimated live weights that exceeded 550 pounds. Terence J. Burkhardt, of Jim Thorpe, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that weighed in at 654 pounds (actual live weight). The bear was taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, at 4:35 p.m.

Other large bears included: a 607-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Lehman Township, Pike County, by Arthur Garris Jr. of Bushkill, at 7:30 a.m.; a 586-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Porter Township, Pike County, by John T. Waters Jr., of Spring City, at 9:30 a.m..

Today is the final day of the three-day season.