The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved the final rules for black bear hunting in Florida. The first hunt in about a decade is scheduled to take place in December. Public comment at Wednesday’s hearing took nearly three hours, but the commission’s unanimous vote in favor came quickly.
The next hunt will begin on December 6th and run 23 days, with future season dates established annually between Oct. 1st and Dec. 31st.
The final rules include a bag limit of one bear per permit, with 187 permits to be issued this year. They allow bears to be killed near game feeding stations on private lands. Starting in 2027, the rules will allow dogs to be used, the idea being that a phased-in approach will provide time to train those dogs.
FWC Chair Rodney Bareto said he’s proud of Florida’s success in managing its wildlife.
“People don’t realize that most states look at Florida, look at what we’re doing, and they kind of emulate or call us and ask us for our advice or expertise,” he said.
Bareto said the agency’s process for developing its rules is done carefully.
“I want the public to know this is not like a run and gun, you know," he said. "We make decisions based upon science. We look at our professional staff. Look at our professional staff with over a 100-and-something years of professionalism right here.”
Supporters say hunting is a part of wildlife management, but opponents are concerned about using bait, dogs, and bows and arrows to kill bears, arguing that those methods can cause the animals to suffer.
