For the first time in a decade, Floridians will be legally allowed to hunt black bears in the state. The move was unanimously approved by the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission this month, but not without opposition from some conservation and animal rights groups.

Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade is officially set to move forward after a unanimous vote by the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Wednesday morning, despite opposition from animal rights groups. The regulated hunt will take place over 23 days in December this year.

The proposed bear hunt in 2025 became a reality today. Hundreds of Floridians showed up at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s quarterly meeting in Havana, Florida on Wednesday, both for and against the hunt.