A Seminole County conservation group suing to stop Florida's bear hunt has asked a judge for an emergency hearing, saying the hunt could undo decades of conservation work if hunters surpass the state's quota.
Multiple media outlets report that lawyers for Lake Mary-based "Speak Up, Wekiva," a conservation group, told a Leon County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be unable to end the hunt until at least after the second day, Oct. 25, regardless of whether the quota of 320 bears has been exceeded.
Proponents say Florida's first bear hunt in 21 years will help manage the state's estimated population of 3,300 bears.
A spokesman for Florida Gov. Rick Scott says Scott will not intervene to block the hunt.
