Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials have decided to move forward with a proposal to open bear hunting in the state.
A tweet from FWC officials said they will have staff members come back with final rules for approval and adoption at a June meeting.
State wildlife officials will take a close look at the laws involving intentionally feeding bears and other wildlife.
FWC members spent the morning listening to public testimony, and then tooka preliminary vote to again allow bear hunting in the state after a 21-year ban.
There have been multiple bear sightings throughout the years in central Florida as well as attacks on people and animals.
FWC listened to dozens of people speaking for and against bear hunting in Florida. Over the past 40 years, 16 people have been hurt by bears in Florida, and several of them happened in Seminole County.
Some argued hunting would help reduce human conflicts with bears and control the population, while others said it killing the bears was not the solution.
The proposal before the commission includes an October hunting season, permits would cost $100 for residents and $300 for non-residents.
Calls to wildlife officials about bears have increased by 400 percent over the past decade.
