CHEYENNE - Black bear hunters take note: Hunt area 8, the Snowy Range, closed to spring hunting June 1 and areas 1-5 in the Bighorn Mountains closed June 2.

Area 8 includes that section of the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Saratoga. Hunters should check the Black Bear Hunting Regulations for specific boundaries. Areas 1-5 include all of the Bighorn Mountains except the southeast corner.

The areas closed because the harvest quota, or limit of female bears, was reached. The areas will reopen this fall.

Black bear hunters can check the status of their hunt areas by calling (800) 264-1280.

(contact: Jeff Obrecht)