By ROGER ALFORD

Associated Press Writer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Though small in number, black bears have become a nuisance in some Appalachian communities -- chasing tourists from campsites, eating from backyard trash cans and emptying dog food bowls on back porches. Now the bears could be fair game for hunters next year.

The Kentucky Wildlife Commission has agreed to a proposal to open a limited hunting season on the pesky bears, the target of complaints filed with wildlife officers.

The proposal, which now goes to a legislative committee for review, is drawing opposition from animal rights groups, including the Humane Society of the United States.

"A bear hunt in Kentucky amounts to nothing more than a trophy hunt, allowing trophy hunters the opportunity to obtain a head and a hide,'' said Andrew Page, head of the Humane Society's Wildlife Abuse Campaign.

Page argues that the state's bear population is too small and fragile to support hunting.

Wildlife biologist Steven Dobey, head of Kentucky's black bear restoration program, said a recently completed study found between 90 and 130 bears in four counties -- Bell, Harlan, Letcher and Pike -- that are believed to have the largest populations.

The wildlife commission voted last week to allow a two-day hunt in three of those counties -- Harlan, Letcher and Pike. Karen Alexy, wildlife director for he Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said hunters would be allowed to kill only 10 bears. Licenses would cost $30 each for the season that will span Dec. 19-20, 2009.

The League of Kentucky Sportsmen has been pushing for a hunting season, saying some black bears have lost their fear of humans.

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