LARAMIE - Black bear hunters take note: Hunt area 8 - the Snowy Range - closed to hunting on Oct. 9.

The hunt area closed because the fall harvest quota of two female black bears was reached. Black bear seasons close once the female harvest quota is met or on closing day, whichever comes first. If the harvest quota had not been reached, this season would have closed Oct. 31.

Area 8 begins where U.S. Highway 287 crosses the Wyoming-Colorado state line; west along the state line to Highway 230 west of the North Platte River; northerly along Highway 230 to Highway 130; northerly along Highway 130 to U.S. Highway 30; easterly and southerly along Highway 30 to U.S. Highway 287; and southerly along Highway 287 to the Wyoming-Colorado state line.

Black bear hunters are reminded to check the status of their hunt areas before they hunt by calling the Black Bear Mortality Hotline at (800) 264-1280. The Hotline is updated daily as mortalities are reported.