COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -- South Carolina wildlife officials are increasing the number of bears that hunting parties can kill because of an increase in the bear population.
The State of Columbia reports that the Natural Resources Department has increased the number of bears a hunting party can take to five from three. Individuals are still allowed to bag just one bear per season.
Natural Resources officials say the number of black bears in South Carolina has gotten so large that the animals are boldly looking for food in residential areas. Black bears can get up to 600 pounds.
Natural Resources Department officials also can expand the two-week late-October hunting season to areas outside the state's three mountain counties of Greenville, Pickens and Oconee where most of the state's bears live.
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