The new rules will establish bear hunting zones within four of the seven existing bear management units. The FWC says in total, 187 permits will be issued across the East Panhandle, North, Central, and South BMUs. Each permit will allow the harvest of one bear within the assigned bear hunting zone.

A lawsuit filed by Bear Warriors United could delay or derail the season, which is set to run Dec. 6-28 if the state prevails in court.