CHENANGO COUNTY – The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced Wednesday proposed changes that would open up parts of Chenango and 12 other counties to black bear hunting in the fall.

DEC is proposing to expand the bear hunting seasons to 13 additional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), which include parts of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, and Otsego counties, a press release states.

“The proposal to open new areas to bear hunting in the Southern bear range is part of our continuing effort to better manage bear populations and provide excellent hunting opportunities in New York State,” DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said.  “Expanding the bear hunting area is a proactive strategy to slow the expansion of black bear range and population and reduce conflicts between black bears and people before those conflicts reach unacceptable levels.”