Florida Approves First State-Sanctioned Black Bear Hunt in 10 Years, Sparking Strong Pushback

 

MIAMI, Florida (FLAN 35) - Florida wildlife officials have launched the state’s first sanctioned black bear hunt in a decade, igniting heated debate between conservationists and state leaders. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved the hunt earlier this year, and it officially began on December 6 after a lottery-style permit process.

Supporters argue the hunt is necessary to manage what they describe as a fast-growing bear population, particularly in Central and Northeast Florida, where human-bear encounters have increased. State wildlife managers say controlled harvests can help reduce nuisance calls and limit bears roaming into suburban neighborhoods.

But the decision has drawn intense criticism from animal-rights advocates and some biologists, who say Florida’s black bear population is still recovering from decades of decline. Several organizations staged protests outside FWC offices leading up to the start of the hunt, calling the move “unnecessary” and “politically motivated.”

Critics also point to the 2015 hunt, the last one allowed in the state, which ended abruptly after hunters killed more bears than expected within just two days. That incident remains a major point of concern for environmental groups today.

This year’s hunt includes stricter limits and monitoring, but opponents argue it still puts stress on Florida’s bear population and undermines long-term conservation work.

With the season underway, state officials say they will closely track harvest numbers and adjust as needed. Meanwhile, the debate over Florida’s bears — and how to manage them — shows no sign of cooling down anytime soon.