Black bear hunting is now legal in Florida, after a state commission on Wednesday approved a limited program in response to a rising population of the animals in the state as a result of conservation programs.

Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade is officially set to move forward after a unanimous vote by the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Wednesday morning, despite opposition from animal rights groups. The regulated hunt will take place over 23 days in December this year.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is meeting for a final hearing on the rule proposals on black bear hunting.