GENESEO — On Sunday afternoon a bear took a jog into the Village of Geneseo. The bear was photographed crossing Center Street and turned South and disappeared into the woods at the Wadsworth Homestead. … [Read more...]
2017’s Hunters Took Six Bears in Livingston County
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Annual reports say that hunters killed a total of six bears in Livingston County towns. One bear was taken in Mount Morris during the muzzleloader season. The rest were taken during the regular firearms season: one in Conesus, one in North Dansville, two in Nunda and one in Ossian. One of those bears, shot during the muzzleloader season turned heads and drew public attention to hunting in Letchworth State Park. The … [Read more...]
EMAIL TO THE EDITOR: Bear Hunting has No Place in NYS Parks
The following is an email submitted by Ashley Pankratz to the GeneseeSun.com for publication. The attitudes and ideas expressed below should not be interpreted as the opinion of the GeneseeSun.com. Just before Christmas, the Genesee Sun featured an article on the killing of a 'once in a lifetime' bear in Letchworth State Park. The hunter, Matt Sphar, describes shooting the animal and watching him slide off a steep ridge. He left the wounded … [Read more...]
Hunter Tags ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Letchworth Park Bear
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Just before Monday's snow melted, one of Letchworth State Park's most devoted hunters was watching for deer in the dense hemlocks along a steep backwoods ridge that leads straight down to the Genesee River. It was the second-to-last day of muzzleloader season. He had already taken a nice buck the opening day of gun season and another in October, during archery season, so he and a few others were deep in the Letchworth woods … [Read more...]
DEC Reminds Hunters to Report All Their Deer, Turkey and Bear
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds hunters to report all deer, turkey and bear kills to help wildlife professionals track wildlife population growth. One of a series of press releases leading up to the opening of gun season for deer and bear reiterates that hunters and trappers' harvest reports are the DEC's way of monitoring wildlife populations to ensure that they will be preserved for future … [Read more...]
Bear Fountain Nears Restoration Phase
GENESEO – Main Street's bear fountain could soon start its restoration process. Mayor Richard Hatheway said that Moorland Studios, the ones restoring the fountain, hope to find the necessary brown stone and begin restoration. "There are great expectations for this visit," said Hatheway. "They hope to find the brown stone and granite, then the pieces will be in place to start fixing things." Moorland Studios found the granite in September … [Read more...]
Perfect Granite to Replace Bear Fountain Found in Connecticut
GENESEO – A three-month search is over for the perfect granite to repair the bear fountain. Mayor Richard Hatheway said that pending a few formalities, the stone is ready to come up to Geneseo from Stony Creek Quarry in Branford, Connecticut to be shaped into the fountain's new bowl. "Our consultants at Moorland Studios have already looked at it and it is a good replacement," said Hatheway. "We are awaiting a final report that will allow us … [Read more...]
Carver Rights Mount Morris’ Bear, Police Seek Vandals
MOUNT MORRIS – The carver who created the once-vandalized 'Welcome Home' bear has restored his sign and put him back on his feet. A Facebook post by Town Councilman David Provo cheered the return of the distinctive sculpture. "The Bear is happy now thanks to James And Kathryn Link," posted Provo. "Let's enjoy this beautiful homecoming weekend and come together and celebrate our community." Vandals apparently unscrewed the sign and … [Read more...]
Vandals Knock Mount Morris’ Celebrity Bear
UPDATE: Carver Rights Mount Morris’ Bear, Police Seek Vandals MOUNT MORRIS – The Village is furious that Mount Morris' most famous bear was the victim of an apparent act of vandalism Thursday night. Vandals appear to have unscrewed the bear's 'Welcome Home' sign and knocked over the carving. The sign was recovered lying next to the bear. "The sign was an add-on, so it was attached by glue and six or seven-inch bolts," said the bear's … [Read more...]
Predators on the Move in Letchworth
Watch video below of Ken Wallace's brief, peaceful encounter with a black bear in the park. CASTILE – Bobcats and eagles and bears, oh my! Letchworth's hunters have been on the move and getting their pictures taken more than usual over the past month. Park goers Mark Van Norman and Ken Wallace have been posting great photographs and videos of predators to social media. Van Norman posted pictures of bears, an eagle nest with grown eaglets, a … [Read more...]