Black bears that have become nuisances in some Appalachian communities could be fair game for hunters next year.

The Kentucky Wildlife Commission has agreed to a proposal to open a limited hunting season on the pesky critters that have been pilfering food from campsites and homesteads in the rugged eastern half of the state.

The proposal now goes to a legislative committee for review.

Bears thrived in the mountain region a century ago.

But over-hunting led to their disappearance.

They have been venturing back into Kentucky from the forests of Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia over the past 20 years.