California wildlife officials have rejected a proposal to expand bear hunting in the state.
Tuesday's vote by the California Fish and Game Commission temporarily blocked a state plan that eliminated a cap on how many black bears can be legally killed each year. The cap is set at 1,700 statewide.
The proposal by the state Department of Fish and Game also would have expanded bear hunting to San Luis Obispo County.
State officials had argued the annual bear cap is rarely reached and that bears are monitored in each area to ensure healthy populations. They also argued there are plenty of bears in San Luis Obispo County to open it for hunting.
The commission is slated to revisit both issues next year.
Copyright The Associated Press
