Number of bears estimated to live in the state of Florida: 2,500-3,000
Number of people who have purchased permits to hunt those bears this fall: 1,795 and counting
According to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 600 permits to hunt bears were sold on the first day they went up for sale; permits are $100 for in-state residents and $300 for people living out-of-state. Former rock start Ted Nugent, who loves to kill animals, was one of the first to sign up for a permit.
According to the News Service of Florida, the FWC will be asked next week to consider implementing a quote of 320 bears for the October hunt. The hunt's goal is supposed to be to reduce the bear population in the state by 20 percent in each of the state's four region, and according to an internal memo from FWC hunting and game manager Diane Eggeman, suggested "harvest objectives" have been established for each region: 40 for the east panhandle, 100 for the north and central regions, and 80 for the south region.
The FWC will discuss these objectives at its Sept. 2-3 meeting in Fort Lauderdale.
In the meantime, local environmental group Speak Up Wekiva has raised thousands to fund a lawsuit it filed against the FWC to stop the hunt before it begins.
An FWC memo outlines the estimated bear population in each of four regions and establishes "harvest objectives" for the hunt
