Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has proposed additional hunting areas for bear. The department has included all land south of I-40 and east of U.S.69 to make it easier for compliance and enforcement. The expansion is due to a growing bear population in southeastern Oklahoma.
Since 2009 only four other counties were open to bear hunting. The bear population is growing exponentially in Oklahoma. By expanding the huntable areas Conservation Officers feel like they will be able to manage the population better.
Any regulation change must be approved by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the governing body of the Wildlife Department, and then signed by the governor before becoming law.
How do you feel about this new proposal and will it actually help to manage the bear population better?
