Thousands of people are lining up for the chance to hunt 12 bison at Grand Canyon National Park

• The National Park Service is launching a bison hunt at the Grand Canyon to manage animal population.
• It received more than 45,000 applications from volunteers who wanted to join the hunt.
• The park will ultimately choose 12 volunteers to kill 12 bison at the park.

More than 45,000 people have applied to hunt 12 bison at Grand Canyon National Park.

The National Park Service (NPS) said on its website it launched the hunt to limit the population of bison on park grounds, saying the animal has grazed and trampled on water, vegetation, soils, and archaeological sites near the Grand Canyon.

The hunt will take place in October, and the NPS said more than 45,000 people applied through the Arizona Game and Fish Department to participate.

In order to apply, volunteers must provide proof of completion of a firearm safety course, have a high level of physical fitness, and be "willing to haul bison carcasses out of wilderness on foot without motorized assistance," NPS said.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will ultimately name 25 finalists, and the first 12 who send requested paperwork to the NPS will win approval to hunt, according to The Associated Press.

Each volunteer will be able to kill one bison out of the 300 to 500 that roam the area.