Florida allows black bear hunting for the first time in a decade

(CNN) — 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.

It followed the passage, in a landslide vote, of a state amendment last November enshrining the right to fishing and hunting in Florida’s constitution .

Up until Wednesday, Florida was one of only six states that didn’t allow bear hunting, the commission said.

In a May commission meeting, over 160 people registered to publicly comment on the proposed bear hunt. The majority of speakers opposed it, according to a draft of the meeting minutes .

In explaining its decision to greenlight bear hunting,