ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State wildlife officials have drafted an updated black bear management plan to cover the next decade.

The plan is posted on the Department of Environmental Conservation's website and the agency is accepting public comments until Feb. 21.

State biologists estimate New York's bear population at between 6,000 and 8,000 bears, with about 50 to 60 percent of them in the Adirondacks, 30 to 35 percent in the Catskills and the rest in central and western New York.

The agency's goal under the plan is to stabilize the bear population in most areas, reduce population in a few areas and prevent them front getting established in areas where conflicts with people would be likely.

Population reduction by expanded hunting is recommended in the Catskills and southwestern Hudson Valley.