LANSING (AP) -- State wildlife managers are looking for hunters to go after black bears that are causing problems for commercial beekeepers in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday tacked an extra week onto the bear hunting season for this fall in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and a portion of Kalkaska counties.

The season will run from Sept. 12 through Sept. 25 in that area, which is part of a larger management unit that has just a one-week bear hunt. Mike Bailey, a Department of Natural Resources management supervisor, says the agency is getting of complaints about bears raiding commercial beehives in northwestern Lower Michigan. He says the extended season should enable hunters to reduce bear numbers in the area.

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