Not only were deer hunters out Monday. Bear hunters were still out in certain parts of our area.

A three-day statewide bear hunt wrapped up last week but hunters had their pick Monday across parts of Lycoming and Clinton counties.

Whether they have a buck in their sights or a bear, they can pull the trigger. That is exactly how the game commission wants it.

Several hunters were headed into the woods near Jersey Shore for the first day of rifle deer season. If they came across a bear, they said they would not think twice about shooting. After all, it is also the start of a six-day extended bear season.

"If you're in the correct area, you could be hunting both. Got a lot of people out there, and have potential to have a lot of people come here," said wildlife biologist Tony Ross. He pointed to the areas around Williamsport and Lock Haven where the hunt for bear continues this week.

Officials with the Pennsylvania Game Commission said hunters in Lycoming and Clinton counties harvested the most bear in the state this year: 239 bears each and counting.

The main reason game officials said they have extended bear season in that area another six days is to cut down on the number of bear coming into the city areas there, rooting through garbage and trash looking for food.

"You don't want too many bear around the suburban areas. They're causing problems. We need to harvest as many as we can," said Ross.

At Poust Taxidermy along Route 44 near Jersey Shore, Dana Poust is ready for hunters to drop off their kills. Some bear hunters wait until the extended season to hunt both animals, according to Poust.

"They've got a double shot at a buck and a bear in the same day, so it's good for the hunter," said Poust. He added he processed 26 bears last week and this week there could be a dozen or more.

"The business we're picking up with this extra season is. The way the economy is, we're really busy. That's a good thing for us," Poust said.