LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s first bear hunting season in 21 years opened Saturday.
On the first day of the bear hunt, 207 Florida black bears were killed statewide, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
Wildlife officials said 99 bears were killed in Central Florida and 81 bears were killed in the Florida Panhandle, so the hunting season is now closed in those regions.
Almost 3,000 people bought the $100 hunting licenses, but only 320 of the state’s estimated 3,500 bears can be killed during the week-long season.
A group called Speak up Wekiva sued to stop the bear hunt, but a judge sided with FWC earlier this month.
A final effort to stop the hunt ended Friday night when the First District Court of Appeal denied a group's request for emergency relief.
FWC said the quota is low because the hunt is intended to stabilize the state's growing bear population.
Hunters are required to register bears they kill at one of 33 statewide check-in stations within 12 hours of recovery, wildlife officials said.
The use of hunting dogs and bait is forbidden.
The hunt continues Sunday in North Florida and South Florida.
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