ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — Is it time for the state of Missouri to start having bear hunts? Bear expert Tom Meister with the Missouri Department of Conservation says there are as many as 800 black bears in the state, and he's worried about them wandering into civilized areas and having conflicts with humans.
"We've always said in our management plan, if we reach a number of 500 or greater, there may be a need for a bear season to help control the numbers since they don't have any natural predators," Meister said.
A meeting on the proposed bear hunt is set from 6 – 8 p.m. tonight, July 30, at the Powder Valley Conservation Center in Kirkwood.