The new rules will let hunters kill two bears a year instead of one.
We heard from hunters and bear advocates about the change.
As black bears emerge from a winter's rest, a unanimous vote Thursday by the California Fish and Game Commission allowed hunters to purchase a second black bear tag per season, meaning they will be able to hunt not one, but two bears.
"The scientists in the department have told us it would result, probably, in the order of 100 to 200 more. In that range, bears harvested are still well below the cap," said Erika Zalvaleta with the California Fish and Game Commission.
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The cap is currently 1,700 -- that's the number of black bear tags that can be sold state-wide in a given hunting season -- and that number doesn't change.
"We haven't reached that harvest or come close to it in many, many years. So, that's a hard limit," said Peter Tira with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says it's part of its mission statement to provide a hunting experience. It's something the Fish and Game Commission also strives for.
"I'm probably the only person up here that is actually a bear hunter. I do have bear meat in my fridge, and I am not a trophy hunter," said Darius Anderson with the California Fish and Game Commission. "Part of my passion, when I'm not doing my day job, is the experience around hunting, and I've been trying to protect the culture of the West."
Fish and Wildlife says California's black bear population is thriving.
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"They're expanding into parts of the state we haven't seen them in 100 years. Marin County, Sonoma County, you know, Northeastern California," Tira said. "So, this was a recognition that there are more opportunities for hunting, and that the population can support it."
The BEAR League is a nonprofit working to protect California's black bears. Executive Director Ann Bryant believes this decision will trigger backlash.
"This is horrifying for us that they're out there being chased down and hunted and killed just for the joy of it, just for the thrill of a kill," Bryant said. "I'm sure there will be a senator or somebody who comes forward and puts a bill forward to stop bear hunting in California. I can see the writing on the wall because I know how I feel and how other people feel who think like me. We're going to go for stopping bear trophy hunting entirely."
The commission says the goal is to have the new regulations effective in time for the next bear seasons later this year.