Supporters of the hunt have claimed that overpopulation of the bears has caused a nuisance in local communities and that a regulated hunt is needed to regulate their population. Black bear numbers have grown steadily after being classified as a “threatened” animal from 1974 to 2012 in the state. There are now an estimated 4,000 bears in Florida.

The protests are timed to take place only days before the FWC is scheduled to vote August 13-14 on approving rules for a three-week bear hunt in December.