The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has approved a black bear hunting season in coastal counties.
The two-week season will start December 1st in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. Hunters will have to enter a lottery for one of the 30 bear tags.
DNR says the coastal bear population has increased and can sustain losing 30 bears a year.
A limited hunt has been allowed in the upstate counties of Oconee, Pickens and Greenville for at least 25 years.
The approved hunt represents the first black bear coastal hunting season since it was banned in the 1950s.
The agency says a three-year study estimates South Carolina's coastal bear population at 500.
Neither hunting dogs nor baiting is allowed.
The Associated Press Contributed to this report.
