Melissa Donovan
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is scheduled to vote within the next week on a proposal that could reinstate a seasonal bear hunt in the state for the first time in 10 years. The decision, expected during the FWC’s Aug. 13 meeting in Gadsden County, has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.
On Saturday, protests were held across Florida, including a demonstration in downtown Orlando, as residents voiced their concerns ahead of the upcoming vote. Several activists argued that increased public education is the most effective way to reduce negative encounters between humans and bears, rather than hunting.
The FWC began discussions on the potential bear hunt in December 2024, citing it as a strategy to manage the state’s growing bear population and minimize human-wildlife conflicts. According to the agency, more than 4,000 black bears currently inhabit Florida.
Under the proposed plan, hunting permits would be issued for specific bear management units containing at least 200 bears. If approved, the hunt would mark the first state-sanctioned bear hunting season in a decade.
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