Hearing on Nevada bear hunt suit canceled

(AP) - A court hearing on a lawsuit to block Nevada's first bear hunt has been canceled.

The hearing had been set for Monday in Carson City.

But Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy says District Judge James Wilson indicated Friday he will rule on the case next week.

Critics of the hunt filed suit in June. They claimed the Nevada Wildlife Commission didn't give proper notice or adequately consider economic impacts or the need for the hunt before approving it in December.

The season is set to begin Aug. 20 and run through Dec. 31.

Regulations authorize 45 tags and allow up to 20 bears to be killed. Of those, no more than six can be females. The hunting season would close once those limits are reached.