Florida’s wildlife commissioners set aside pleas and arguments from black bear advocates Wednesday and approved a December hunt of the state’s shy but increasingly troublesome species. The board’s unanimous 5-0 vote — with two commissioners absent — followed more than two hours of rancorous public comment with hunters and wildlife defenders trading barbs and disagreeing about

State wildlife officials say a regulated hunt is needed to manage the bear population. Opponents say the new rules will lead to trophy hunting.

The first black bear hunt in Florida in a decade will take place in December under a rule adopted Wednesday by state wildlife officials despite strong opposition to the eventual use of dogs and targeting the animals in baited locations.