Ky. lawmakers legalize bear hunting
Comments Jan 13, 2009 11:26 AM (23 hrs ago) AP

FRANKFORT, Ky.

Lawmakers have given their blessing to open a hunting season on Kentucky's bear population.

The hunting season was approved Tuesday by the legislature's Administrative Regulation Review Committee. With the panel's approval, Kentucky becomes one of 28 states where bear hunting is allowed. The season is set for next December.

Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett said the season will be limited to two days and will not negatively affect the bear population, which has been estimated to be between 130 and 350.

The Humane Society of the United States argued that the bear population is too small to sustain hunting.

Bears thrived in Kentucky more than a century ago, but over-hunting and habitat loss led to their disappearance. Over the past 20 years, they have been venturing back into Kentucky from neighboring states like Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

If Kentucky DNR count Bears like the Wis DNR they have 2 to 3 times as many as reported.

good news!

Congrats to us all! This is a rare win in the hunting world and a good opportunity for all you Kentucky hunters to spend more time in the woods.

Keep on your toes, however, as NJ lost it's bear hunting despite the opinion of the biologists. I'm not sure they'll ever get it back.