TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Florida’s controversial bear hunt will cross over the one-week threshold on Saturday, but the number of bears that have been hunted remains a mystery.

A total of 172 permits were issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ahead of the actual hunt. Those wishing to take part had to enter their name into a lottery-style drawing, with each entry costing $5.

FWC did not place a cap on the number of times someone could enter the lottery. Once the names were drawn, if a prospective hunter wanted to follow through and purchase a license, it would cost $100 for Florida residents and $300 for nonresidents.

The season officially opened on Saturday, December 6, and will end on Sunday, December 28.

WCTV has reached out to FWC’s communications office

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