PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers have approved a state panel's decision to shorten next winter's hunting and trapping season for bobcats in the western part of the state.

Rules passed by state agencies cannot take effect unless they are approved by the Legislature's Rules Review Committee. The committee has now approved the bobcat season set by the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

Because of questions about how many bobcats live in western South Dakota, the commission decided to shorten next winter's season by two weeks in an effort to limit the number of cats that will be taken. The season will run from Dec. 26 through Feb. 15.

A limited season also will be held in five southeastern South Dakota counties, where each hunter or trapper can take just one bobcat.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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