Oklahoma City, OK - (AP) The Oklahoma Senate has voted to allow the creation of a bear hunting season in southeastern Oklahoma.

The vote was 37-7 for the bill by Sen. Kenneth Corn of Poteau.

Corn says it is estimated the bear population in the area has grown to 700 to 800 bears, increasing about 12 percent a year. He says many bears are coming from the Ouachita Mountains area of bordering Arkansas.

Corn says a limit of killing 20 bears a year is being contemplated to keep the Oklahoma population under control.

The bill now goes to the House, which has passed a similar measure.

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