ALBANY – The State Department of Environmental Conservation wants to open new areas in the Hudson Valley to black bear hunting and establish uniform hunting season dates across the southern zone.

Changes would include opening wildlife management units to black bear hunting for the archery, regular and muzzle loading seasons including in all of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Columbia counties and the portion of Rockland that was not already open for black bear hunting.

The hunting adjustments are part of the DEC’s effort to better manage bear populations and provide hunting opportunities in the state, said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

Increasing bear hunting in the region “will help alleviate agricultural and homeowner conflicts with bears, provide recreational opportunity, and facilitate wise use of bear meat and hides,” he said.