Farmington VFD hosting bear weigh station and activities

By RODNEY L. SHERMAN
Clarion News editor

Farmington Township Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a bear weigh station during this month’s bear (rifle) hunting season.

The weigh station event will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 and Sunday, Nov. 21; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Volunteer Firefighter Scott Sauerland told the Clarion News the fire department will offer food and beverages and well as chances in several raffles.

“You’ll get see some bears, too, if things go well,” said Sauerland.

According to the state Game Commission, a successful bear hunter must, within 24 hours, take the animal, along with his or her hunting license and bear license, to a Game Commission check station.

Bears should be field-dressed before being brought to a check station.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports it sells approximately 200,000 bear tags each year, with roughly 3,000 – 4,000 of those tags ending up attached to their hunter’s take.

The Farmington Township VFD plans on having activities and food available all four days at the weigh station at the fire hall in Leeper.

There will be signs posted for the bear check entrance as well as the entrance for the raffles and other items.

While the earliest bear season opens in mid-September for parts of the state, the harvest doesn’t ramp up until the statewide firearms season.

As of Nov. 4, according to the Game Commission’s website, through the 2021 various bear hunting seasons, 21 black bears have been harvested in Clarion County.