Opponents of Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade rallied Monday at the Capitol amid efforts to prevent bears from being killed next month in four areas of the state.

A Florida wildlife advocacy group has filed a legal challenge against the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to stop a planned December black bear hunt, arguing the agency lacks current scientific data to justify harvesting up to 187 bears.

Conservationists are suing to stop Florida from holding its first black bear hunt in a decade.

Bear harvest permit applications open at 10 a.m. Friday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved rules for the state’s first bear hunt in more than a decade. The hunt will take place in four regions of the state and use a lottery process for hunters to obtain permits.

Amid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.