Area 9 closed for bear hunting

According to a press release from Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), black bear hunt area 9 was closed for the season Oct. 5. The area was closed because the mortality limit for female bears was reached on Oct. 5, according to the release.

Black bear hunt area 9 is bounded by the Colorado state line to the south and Interstate 80 to the north. The western boundary is HWY 789 and the eastern boundary of the area is formed by HWY 130 and HWY 230.

Black bear mortality limits are established each year in order to maintain a healthy population of the animals, the release said. It is a hunter’s responsibility to check whether or not quotas have been reached before hunting, and hunters can call 1-800-264-1280 to see whether an area’s limit has been reached.

Any harvested bear must be reported to WGFD within 72 hours, the release reminded hunters.