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.

Despite emotional pleas from animal-rights advocates, Florida wildlife officials on Wednesday approved a 23-day black bear hunt in December that could result in up to 187 bears being killed. It will be the state’s first sanctioned bear hunt in more than a decade.

Florida approves first bear hunt in 10 years as population grows from 1,200 to 4,000, despite opposition from environmental groups concerned about habitat loss.