There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.
“Bear Area 2, which is that Pointe Coupee/St. Landry area, and Bear Area 1, which is the coastal parishes like Vermillion, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Iberia, ” Hanks said.
Hanks says the number of tags would go up. Last year, there were 10 tags available in Area 4. That would go up to 14 in Area 4, along with 8 in Area 1 and 3 in Area 2. And just like last year, there would be a lottery for those tags, and the odds will be quite long.
“We had about a thousand applicants last year, a little less, and we had 10 permits, so it was a 1-in-100 chance. I don’t know what it will be this year. We have more permits, but we certainly probably will have more people putting in for those permits,” Hanks said.
Hanks says the growing bear population is making it possible to have a bear hunting season.
“There are plenty of bears there. There are some excess animals, and that’s what we’re trying to address, is allow our citizens and State to take advantage of that opportunity and excess animals where there are excess animals,” Hunt said.
If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.
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