Wildlife officials discuss bear hunting

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners is considering regulations that will govern Nevada's first bear hunting season.

The commission began discussing the proposed regulations for the 2011 and 2012 hunting seasons during a Las Vegas meeting Friday afternoon. The nine-member commission voted on Dec. 4 to create Nevada's first bear hunting season.

Pro-animal groups said they would rally at the meeting against the proposed bear hunting season.

Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Doug Nielsen said roughly 50 people showed up to observe the meeting Friday.

Critics have argued that there's no data that conclusively establishes Nevada's bear population, as required under state hunting regulations.

Commissioners disagreed, saying that data exists.