Hunters would be required to register the bear at an Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission checkpoint within 12 hours of killing the animal, and there would be a limit of less than 300 bears killed. The agency sold about 1,400 licenses in the first three days they went on sale Monday.

Florida’s first black bear hunt in 21 years is proving to be a big hit, despite a controversial start and at least one lawsuit against the state for holding the hunt.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission won’t limiting the number of permits available for the hunt which will take place in four regions.

Wildlife officials estimate the state’s bear population at about 3,000. It was clear the move was in response to a handful of bear attacks in a state that continues to allow home developers to push ever deeper into Florida’s natural woodlands. Some experts suspect there are a lot more bears in the state, and the animals seem to be encroaching on human habitats.

Although anti-hunting groups sought to stop the proposed hunt in favor of increased community education and bear-resistant trashcans, FWC approved the limited season in June to help trim numbers to a more manageable level in conjunction with the other forms of mitigation. As of this week, the state sold 1,340 licenses for the hunt in October, a number equal to about half the state’s total bear population. The season will vary between units, with some just set for two-day hunts while others could see a full week. Many hunters, including Nugent, have refuted this claim.

Animal rights groups claim that the hunt could have a negative effect on a recovering bear population.