After a decade of conservation management and growth, bear hunting in Florida is back in 2025 with season dates being set for approval soon. The last regulated bear hunt in Florida took place a decade ago, back in 2015.
However, after a 10-year break, and bear numbers on the rise, the FWC has moved toward implementing the management of bears through a regulated hunting season once again.
Looking back on bear numbers, we find just a few hundred bears roaming around in Florida back in the 1970s.
That number today is over 4,000 bears, making the black bear one of Florida’s most successful conservation stories.
After FWC staff presented options on regulated bear hunting and the public provided their comments at the May 2025 Commission meeting, FWC Commissioners voted 4 to 1 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. If the final rules are approved, most changes would take effect during the 2025-26 hunting season.
“The resurgence of the Florida black bear is not just a victory for conservationists; it’s a win for all Floridians,” said Rodney Barreto, Chairman of the FWC. “Hunting is a biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future.”
According to the FWC, hunting will allow the FWC to start managing population growth rates for the Bear Management Units, or BMUs, with the largest bear subpopulations.
Balancing species population growth with suitable habitat helps to maintain a healthy population.
Hunting is an important and effective tool for managing wildlife populations around the world, but it is important to acknowledge that managing bear populations does not manage human-bear conflicts. Conflict prevention and bear management practices will still need to continue.
Florida Bear Season at a Glance
Here’s a look at the details on what you might expect on a bear hunt for the 2025 hunting season.
- Proposed dates would be the first Saturday in December through the last Sunday in December.
- There would be 187 permits issued for bear hunting in the 2025 season.
- All legal methods of take for deer would be allowed for black bear.
- Hunting with hounds could come in future seasons.
Be sure to comment below, and let us know your thoughts on a bear hunt coming back to the state of Florida.
