Officials say acorn shortage could hurt December bear hunt
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia wildlife officials say they’re expecting a subpar bear hunt this December due to a shortage in acorns and other foods for the animals.
Colin Carpenter, bear project leader for the Division of Natural Resources, says the upcoming December black-bear firearm kill will likely be lower than lower than last year because the acorn crop hasn’t been great.
Officials bears hibernate early when acorns and other food isn’t abundant. Carpenter says hunters will likely see more success early in December than if they wait until later in the month.
But he says that officials are expecting a record year for the archery harvest and believes any shortfall in the December firearm season harvest will be made up in the archery season.