In weather that favored the bears on Saturday, November 18, Pennsylvania hunters killed at least 666 bears across the state.

As of early afternoon Sunday, November 19, after the Pennsylvania Game Commission's 25 bear check stations had closed for the weekend, hunters had brought 666 bruins to the stations for the required check-in with the commission.

That's just a bit more than half the harvest on the first day of the firearms hunting season for bear achieved in other recent years. The first-day harvest was 1,142 last year; 1,508 in 2015; 1,623 in 2014; 1,320 in 2013; 1,936 in 2011; 1,751 in 2010; 1,897 in 2009; 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.

Driving rain spread across Pennsylvania as the season was opening on Saturday, mixing with sleet and fog in some areas, to reduce visibility for most hunters and push some out of the forest.

Despite less than ideal conditions, a 700-pound bear was killed in Venango County, as were a 648-pounder in Wayne County, 595-pounders in Elk and Tioga counties, a 586-pounder in Crawford County and a 576-pounder in Potter County.

Top bear-producing counties on Saturday were Tioga, 89; Lycoming, 83; Pike, 73; Clinton, 64; Potter, 55; Wayne, 45; Sullivan, 38; Elk, 36; Warren, 35; and Monroe, 33.

The firearms hunting season for bear continues Monday through Wednesday, November 20-22.

More about bears and bear hunting in Pennsylvania: