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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) seeks public input on the state’s potential reopening of regulated black bear hunting. FWC invites residents to a virtual public meeting on March 13 at 6 p.m. EDT, where attendees can learn about the proposed options and share their opinions.
The meeting will be accessible through MyFWC.com/Hunting by selecting “Florida black bear,” or interested individuals can send comments directly to BearComments@MyFWC.com.
This discussion comes after an update in December 2024 from the FWC’s Bear Management Program, which presented a five-year review of the Florida Black Bear Management Plan. The update highlighted the progress of bear management efforts, and following the presentation, Commissioners directed staff to propose options for a potential bear hunt at a future meeting.
The black bear population in Florida has grown significantly from just several hundred bears in the 1970s to over 4,000 today, making it one of the state’s most successful conservation efforts. Regulated black bear hunting took place in Florida until 1994, was suspended, and reopened in 2015. However, no hunting seasons have been open since then.
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FWC is now considering a regulated hunt to balance the bear population with suitable habitat, as outlined in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan. The plan also emphasizes maintaining a healthy bear population, with regulated hunting providing recreational, economic, and conservation benefits. Hunters can use parts of the bear they harvest, such as meat, pelt, and fat. The revenue from hunting also supports conservation initiatives.
The FWC will develop proposed options for a regulated bear hunt by reviewing previous regulations, examining hunts in other states, and considering public feedback. The public can review and comment on these options before their presentation to Commissioners.
As part of the development process, the FWC will also consider whether the bear population is sustainable enough for a regulated hunt. Following the most recent statewide population estimate in 2015, FWC determined that several bear subpopulations were healthy enough to sustain a hunt, with the four largest subpopulations showing continued growth.
The public is encouraged to participate in the March 13 meeting to provide input on this important issue. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/hunting/bear.
