US EditionFlorida kicks off first black bear hunt in a decade, despite pushback
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aims to manage an estimated 4,000 bears by allowing 187 to be hunted amid legal challenges and over 160,000 permit applications.
- From Dec. 6 through Dec. 28, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reopened a regulated black bear hunt with a 172-bear quota across four designated Bear Harvest Zones.
- Driven by population trends, officials moved to restore hunting as a management tool, with FWC commissioners citing Florida's black bear population climbing to more than 4,000 to slow subpopulation growth.
- The FWC issued 172 capped permits by lottery after receiving 163,459 applications; permits cost $100 for residents, $300 for nonresidents, allow one bear per permit, and require a 100-pound minimum.
- Anti‑hunt activists purchased many permits, and Bear Warriors United is paying $2,000 to permit holders who agree not to hunt, while some hunters have surrendered tags.
- FWC will collect harvest and permit data to guide future decisions, noting the 2025 model caps harvest by removable females and scientists expect new survey results in 2029.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelAfter a decade off, Florida resumes bear hunting today. Here’s what to expect.
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FIRST BEAR HUNT IN A DECADE: Florida's bear hunting season returns December 6
Florida's bear hunting season has returned for 2025, with only 172 permits granted out of nearly 20,000 applicants statewide. Of those permits, 11 were issued to Southwest Florida residents.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the hunt is necessary to manage growing bear populations. The agency wants to slow population growth in the four most dense bear areas before habitat becomes overcrowded.Officials said waiting too lon…
Florida’s bear hunt starts Saturday. What you need to know
Starting this weekend, hunters will be able to hunt Florida’s black bears, provided they have a permit.From Dec. 6 through Dec. 28, hunters who received a permit will be able to harvest black bears on private property, with permission of the property owner, and in specified Bear Harvest Zones, which are located within four of Florida’s Bear Management Units.The state issued 172 permits through a lottery system. Each permit entitles the hunter to…
Bay News 9
Spectrum News 13Florida's first black bear hunt in 10 years starts Saturday
Conservation groups sued to stop the hunt, arguing that the bear population is fine where it is.
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