| West Virginia hunters killed a record 1,188 black bears during the 2006 firearms season.
The DNR says it's the first time that more than 1100 bears were killed during firearms season.
Another 513 bears were killed during archery season.
The DNR says the combined total for both seasons was two percent higher than in 2005.
DNR Director Frank Jezioro says the increase to a large bear population is related to above average food conditions and good weather in December.
Greenbrier County had the most gun kills with 148 bears, while Preston County topped the archery kills with 66.
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