Florida Wildlife Commission moves forward with controversial black bear hunt amid strong opposition

Florida is one step closer to having a bear hunt during the 2025-2026 hunting season, despite protests and opposition to the hunt.At this week’s Commission meeting in Ocala on Wednesday, Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to approve proposed amendments to bear hunting rules for advertising in the Florida Administrative Register. The rule proposals are expected to be brought back before the commission at its August 2025 meeting for a final hearing and, if the final rules are approved, most changes would take effect during the 2025-26 hunting season.