FWC's Final vote on rules for black bear hunting in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) —The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is meeting for a final hearing on the rule proposals on black bear hunting.

FWC Commissioners will meet today for the final vote.

In May 2025, FWC staff presented options on regulated bear hunting, and the public provided their comments at a commission meeting, FWC said.

At that meeting, FWC Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve proposed amendments to bear hunting rules for advertising in the Florida Administrative Register, according to FWC.

If the final rules are approved, the changes would take effect during the 2025-26 hunting season.

According to FWC, regulated black bear hunting began in Florida in the 1930s and continued until 1994.

Hunting was closed until 2015, before it was reopened in the fall.

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