DENVER—Colorado lawmakers worried about the growing conflict between people and bears have backed a bill that would overturn 19-year-old restrictions on hunting the animals.
The Denver Post reports that a House committee Monday voted 8-5 for a measure that would repeal a 1992 voter-approved ban on hunting bears from March 1 to Sept 1. The bill would allow the state Division of Wildlife to approve hunts whenever necessary.
Voters overwhelmingly prohibited hunting bears in the spring because that’s when female bears are taking care of their cubs. Voters also banned the use of dogs or bait by bear hunters.
State wildlife chief Tom Remington say the wildlife commissioners likely wouldn’t expand the hunting season because bears can be managed under the current season, which runs from Sept. 1 to mid-November.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
