The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to hear from the public about potential options for regulated black bear hunting.

Florida wildlife officials will talk Thursday night about a possible black bear hunt, which would be the first in the state since 2015. Hunting groups say the black bear population can handle a state-regulated hunt,

FWC said in Thursday's meeting the range occupied by bears in the state increased from 17 percent in 1993 to 51 percent in 2020.

The controversial topic of bear hunting is back up for discussion in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a virtual public meeting to gauge the public’s interest in hosting their first bear hunt in 10 years.