156 Dr. John Hast — Black Bear Hunting Common Questions, Management Goals, A First Harvest

156 Dr. John Hast — Black Bear Hunting Common Questions, Management Goals, A First Harvest

From Kentucky Afield by Kentucky Afield

December 15, 2025 · 1h 14m

About this episode

This episode features Dr. John Hast discussing black bear hunting and management in Kentucky.

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast, we're joined by Dr. John Hast, Bear and Elk Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, for an in-depth conversation on black bears and bear hunting in the Commonwealth. With Kentucky currently in the middle of its rifle season for bears, we're breaking down why the season is timed the way it is, the long-term goals of Kentucky’s bear program, and how season dates help meet those management objectives. We also dive into the reasoning behind why baiting bears is not allowed in Kentucky, how weather conditions can influence bear movement and hunter success, and how shifting food sources impact bear behavior throughout the season. To wrap things up, Chase shares the story of harvesting his first-ever Kentucky black bear on public land during the October archery season. Whether you’re a seasoned bear hunter or just curious about Kentucky’s growing bear population, this episode offers valuable insight straight from the biologist helping lead the program.

People in this episode

Host: Kentucky Afield

Guest: Dr. John Hast

Topics covered

  • black bear hunting
  • wildlife management
  • Kentucky bear program
  • hunting regulations
  • bear behavior
  • first harvest

Keywords

  • black bear
  • hunting
  • Kentucky
  • wildlife management
  • bear behavior
  • first harvest
  • hunting regulations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Places: Kentucky

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