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Oklahoma commission approves bear hunting seasonWis bear

 

Source : http://www.outdoornews.com

Published:

Thursday, April 2, 2009 7:52 PM CDT

 

Oklahoma City, OK(AP) - The Oklahoma Wildlife Commission has voted to create a black bear hunting season in Oklahoma.

 

Commissioners voted 5-2 Wednesday to authorize bear hunting in the southeastern corner of the state where studies indicate bear populations are on the rise.

 

State Department of Wildlife Conservation wildlife division chief Alan Peoples estimates there are between 700 and 800 black bears in that part of the state. Peoples says Leflore County alone has an estimated 500 black bears.

 

Peoples says the growing population has increased human contact with the animals. He says bears have actually killed livestock and destroyed crops.

 

The hunting season is contingent upon the passage of legislation to authorize it. Separate bear hunting bills are pending in the Oklahoma House and Senate.