Opponents of Florida’s first sanctioned black bear hunt in a decade are suing to stop the planned killings, arguing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) violated state law and relied on outdated science to justify the event.

Oviedo-based nonprofit Bear Warriors United has filed a petition seeking to invalidate FWC’s newly adopted rule authorizing the Dec. 6-28 hunt in four “bear management units.”

The plan allows up to 187 black bears to be killed by various means through a lottery-based permit system.

Bear Warriors is asking for a Judge to block FWC from issuing permits until the case is resolved and to declare the rule invalid. The group also seeks attorneys fees.

The complaint, filed Friday with the Division of Administrative Hearings , contends

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