MADISON - Wisconsin wildlife biologists have raised the number of available black bear harvest permits for 2010 by 22 percent compared with 2009.

With a new population estimate of about 22,000 bears, and a state bear population goal of 13,000 bears, DNR biologists have established a 2010 harvest quota of 5,235 bears and will issue 8,910 permits.

A population research study cooperative effort between the University of Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association indicated that the state's bear population was higher than previously believed. DNR wildlife officials then increased permit levels last year based on the increased population estimate and have done so again for the 2010 bear hunting season.

Successful applicants for this year's hunt will be notified by mid-February.

"This level of harvest should begin to nudge the state's bear population toward established goals," said Keith Warnke, DNR deer and bear ecologist. "This

is something we want to approach responsibly and not overshoot until we have had time to run a repeat of the population study to verify the first set of findings and evaluate bear population goals."

More than 32,000 hunters applied for the 7,310 permits issued in 2009. Hunters killed a record 3,907 bears based on preliminary harvest numbers.

The 2010 bear hunting season is Sept. 8 through Oct. 12.