Bear Hunting Returns To Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously Aug. 13 to approve the first legal, highly regulated black bear hunt in the Sunshine State in a decade.
Following a contentious — albeit misinformed — statewide debate, legal, regulated black bear hunting will officially return to Florida.
Safari Club International thanks FWC Chair Rodney Barreto and the other members of the Commission for not bending to the ill-informed and emotionally driven objections to the hunt. Instead, they looked at the undeniable bear population statistics provided by the technical experts at the FWC and the proven success of hunting in managing bear populations.
The FWC has estimated that there are more than 4,000 bears within the state, and their population continues to expand. The range of black bears in Florida has tripled over the last 20 years to cover over 50% of the state. The decision is a major victory for hunters and conservationists.
“The FWC’s decision is a remarkable step forward for Floridians and Florida’s wildlife alike,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “Safari Club International has been a proud supporter of hunters, sportsmen and conservation, and we thank FWC Chair Rodney Barreto and the other members of the Commission for making this much-needed hunting season a reality.”
The FWC is authorizing 187 black bear tags to be distributed by lottery this December to hunters who apply in four scientifically identified bear management units – the East Panhandle, North, Central and South.
Permits will be distributed through a random drawing, with a limited number per unit based on bear population. The application fee is $5, and hunters may apply as many times as they like. The cost of a license is $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents. No more than 10% of permits may be awarded to nonresidents.
This is a 23-
day season that will run from December 1-23, 2025. Legal methods of take include bait stations on private lands and a phased-in approach to allow dogs to pursue bear, and a private lands bear harvest program for landowners with more than 5,000 contiguous acres.
SCI acknowledges the Commission’s leadership and FWC scientists’ proven research to ensure that this year’s hunt will be conservative and conducted with precision. SCI has been a vocal advocate of the hunting season for Floridians, consistent with its leadership on conservation issues around the globe.