Florida Approves First Black Bear Hunt in a Decade

Florida has authorized its first legal black bear hunt in ten years. The week-long hunt began on Saturday, allowing hunters with permits to use rifles or crossbows in specific areas. State wildlife officials approved the hunt to manage the bear population. They report the number of Florida black bears has grown significantly since the last hunt in 2015. The decision faced strong criticism from animal rights groups and some residents. Opponents argue the hunt is cruel and unnecessary. Despite the controversy, demand for permits was high. Over 160,000 people applied for the limited number of licenses. Some applicants even opposed the hunt but sought permits to reduce the total number of bears killed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will closely monitor the hunt. It has set a strict limit on the total number of bears that hunters may take. If hunters reach that limit in any region, the hunt there will end immediately.