SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A conservation group has filed a lawsuit to stop Florida’s first black bear hunt in more than a decade , claiming state wildlife officials used outdated population data to justify the controversial plan.

Bear Warriors United seeks to block the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission from proceeding with the 23-day hunt, scheduled to begin Dec. 6.

The group argues that killing 187 bears would cause “imminent and irreparable harm” to the Florida black bear population.

“Conservation does not begin and end with a bullet. We need science behind it. We need bear management in a way that is responsible and compassionate,” said Raquel Levy, an attorney for Bear Warriors United.

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