GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Capital Bureau) - For the first time since 2015, Florida will allow hunters to target black bears. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted unanimously Wednesday to approve final guidelines for a regulated bear hunt this December.

The decision followed hours of public comment from across the state. The commission heard from more than 160 speakers on Wednesday alone.

Supporters, like United Waterfowl of Florida president Newton Cook, said the hunt is needed to manage the growing bear population.

“It’s good for the bears to start with. We have bear management units, four of them are overpopulated,” Cook said.

Wildlife officials estimate more than 4,000 black bears now live in Florida. FWC said complaints about bears have risen in r

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