Supporters of the hunt have claimed that overpopulation of the bears has caused a nuisance in local communities and that a regulated hunt is needed to regulate their population. Black bear numbers have grown steadily after being classified as a “threatened” animal from 1974 to 2012 in the state. There are now an estimated 4,000 bears in Florida.

Florida will hold its first black bear hunt in a decade this December, a decision that has ignited fierce debate over wildlife science, public safety and hunting ethics. State wildlife commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the limited hunt, citing a need to manage what they say is a growing bear population.