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2025 Florida Black Bear Hunt Update
The 2025 black bear hunting season in Florida closed on Dec. 28 after a 23-day run from Dec. 6 through Dec. 28, marking the state’s first managed bear season since 2015. The initial harvest report was released on Dec. 30 with a more recent Harvest Fact Sheet released on Feb. 6. The complete report has yet to be released. The hunt occurred under strict limits and was designed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a tool to address growing bear populations, but it also reignited protests from opponents who argue against reopening regulated bear hunting.
Hunt Structure, Dates and Zones
The 2025 bear hunting season was held on lands outside the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system and confined to four Bear Harvest Zones within Florida’s seven Bear Management Units: North, East Panhandle, Central, and South.
A total of 172 permits were issued through a random drawing, with each permit allowing the harvest of one bear within an assigned BHZ. The limited-entry format was crafted to ensure conservative harvest levels while giving qualified hunters an opportunity to participate.
Across the zones, 52 bears were harvested, resulting in a hunter success rate of about 30.2% by season’s end. Biological data—including sex and age—was collected on every harvested bear to help inform future management decisions.
Why Florida Reopened Regulated Hunting
Florida’s black bear population rebounded dramatically from only a few hundred bears in the 1970s to an estimated more than 4,000 statewide today. This population recovery is hailed by wildlife officials as a conservation success, but growing bear numbers also mean increased human-bear interactions in some parts of the state.
As part of the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, regulated hunting was identified as one of several tools to help manage bear populations, especially in zones with high subpopulation densities. After public comment and staff recommendations, FWC commissioners voted in August 2025 to adopt highly regulated hunting rules that included permit limits and protections for cubs and females with dependent young.
Opposition and Protests
Not everyone supported the decision to reopen bear hunting. Wildlife advocates and animal-rights groups organized protests and public comments opposing the hunt, arguing that hunting is unnecessary and could threaten bear populations. Some filed lawsuits and offered financial incentives to permit-holders who pledged not to harvest bears. Critics also referenced the controversial 2015 hunt, which ended early after more than 300 bears were killed in two days.
Despite the protests, FWC officials maintained the regulated hunt was founded on science-based wildlife management objectives, with safeguards to minimize impact on long-term bear viability.
Enforcement and Compliance
FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement supported the season with enhanced officer engagement and hunter education, resulting in strong compliance with rules. Only one minor violation was recorded, and no citations were issued.
For those interested in changing regulations and future bear hunts, FWC plans to evaluate biological data and adapt season timing and permit numbers as needed, with future seasons possibly extending between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 depending on population objectives.
For further information on the Black Bear Harvest, visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For previous coverage by OutdoorHub, check out this article.
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