Florida wildlife officials have approved the state's first black bear hunting season in ten years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously to allow the hunt, which is scheduled for December 2025. The decision comes amid concerns over the growing black bear population and increasing human-bear interactions.

The commission's 5-0 vote took place during a meeting in Havana, Florida, where both supporters and opponents of the hunt voiced their opinions. The hunt will last for three weeks, from December 6 to December 28, or until the quota of 187 bears is reached. The hunting will be restricted to four designated Bear Management Units, where bear populations are highest.

Rodney Barreto, chairman of the commission, stated, "I am proud that Florida is joining the majority of states that manage black bears with regulated hunting." He emphasized that the hunt's components are conservative and prioritize conservation. However, the decision has sparked significant opposition from conservation groups and animal welfare advocates.

Critics argue that the hunt is unnecessary and cruel, pointing to the encroachment of human development into bear habitats as the root cause of increased bear sightings and interactions. Lauren Jorgensen, a ranch owner, expressed concern, saying, "Not all the hunters support this hunt. We'd like to see nature in balance." Environmental activist Rhonda Roff added, "We're building roads through their habitat."

The last bear hunt in Florida occurred in 2015, resulting in over 300 bears being killed within the first two days, leading to an early closure of the season. This raised alarms about the sustainability of bear populations, which had previously been nearly driven to extinction due to overhunting and habitat loss. Black bears were removed from the state's threatened species list in 2012, with current estimates suggesting a population of around 4,000 bears.

Supporters of the hunt cite a significant increase in nuisance bear reports, which have risen by more than 200% from 2016 to 2024. Ottice Amison, a Franklin County commissioner, noted that residents frequently encounter bears in their neighborhoods, leading to fears about safety. He stated, "The reality is that the frequency and severity of bear interactions continue to rise."

The commission's new rules for the hunt include a lottery-style permitting process, with permits costing $100 for Florida residents and $300 for non-residents. Each hunter will be limited to one bear, and there will be restrictions against killing cubs or females with cubs. Future plans may allow the use of hunting dogs and bait feeding stations on private property, pending further studies on the bear population and the impact of hunting.

Unless halted by ongoing legal challenges, the hunt is set to proceed as planned, with the potential for future seasons to include additional hunting methods.