SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A measure that would allow hunting bobcats in Illinois has won Senate approval.

The legislation sponsored by Carlinville Republican Sen. Sam McCann would allow the Department of Natural Resources to issue as many as 200 permits a year to keep the animal’s population in check.

It was approved 32-17.

The House approved the measure in April but language was changed slightly in the Senate so it must return to the House.

Similar legislation went to former Gov. Pat Quinn but the Democrat vetoed it. He said the cats needed protection. Aurora Democratic Sen. Linda Holmes says conservationists still have concerns even though the animal has been removed from the endangered species list.

The season would run from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15.