Floridas first bear hunt in a decade has generated significant public interest.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports receiving over 160,000 applications from individuals interested in participating.

However, Tampa Bay 28 reporter Annette Gutierrez has discovered that the large number may be misleading.

WATCH: Bear hunt or bear watch? Floridas permit lottery draws 160K applications amid unlikely protest

Bears have been captured on camera in the Lutz area of Tampa, as recently as Wednesday.

"Ive actually lived in both Tampa and now like North Tampa Lutz area, and it seems no matter where I go, Im seeing the black bears - I love it though," said Anthony Marinelli, a Tampa resident.

But now, for the first time since 2015, Floridians will be allowed to hunt bears.

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