BEAR-ABLE HUNTING NUMBERS

BEAR hunters in the Adi rondacks have had a much tougher time of it than those who hunt the southern part of New York.

The early season take in the North Country was down by 75 percent from 2007, but the numbers seem to be rebounding for the regular season hunters with the take running about 50 percent greater than last year. If the remainder of the regular season is productive and reporting rates are good, it is suspected we'll see a slightly higher total take.

In the Southern Zone, the bear take in Central and Western N.Y. is about double last year's to date and already exceeds the total archery take of 2007. About a half dozen bears have been reported in the newly expanded bear hunting areas. Bear take in the Catskills is running about 40 percent less than last year.

New Jersey shooters dominated in the National Sporting Clays Championships in San Antonio, Texas.

Anthony Matarese Jr. has become the 20th Sporting Clays National Champion, beating more than 1,400 shooters for the top prize and edging former champion Wendell Cherry by one target.

Diane Sorantino repeated as ladies champion for the second consecutive year, dominating the field through the entire competition. The police chief from Cape May, N.J., out-shot her nearest competitor by 13 targets.

New York's hunters can now report their deer, bear, turkey take via the DEC's new Online Game Harvest Report system by logging onto www.dec.ny.gov and follow the link from the hunting information box on DEC's home page.

Capt. Bob Tuma, one of the pioneers of Montauk charter boat fishing, passed away on Saturday at the age of 85. He was a charter captain for more than 60 years aboard his boat, the Dawn.