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FLORIDA - Florida may soon see its first sanctioned black bear hunt in nearly a decade.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has given preliminary approval for a regulated bear hunting season, tentatively scheduled for December 6th thru December 28th.
A final decision will be made in August.
Supporters argue the hunt is necessary to manage growing bear populations and reduce increasing bear-human encounters.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, who backs the proposal, stated there were 107 bear-related incidents reported in his county over the past nine months, a number he claims could be significantly underreported.
The FWC proposes issuing 187 hunting permits through a lottery system.
Florida residents would pay $100 per permit, while non-residents would pay $300, with a $5 application fee.
Hunters would be allowed to harvest one bear per permit, with regulations prohibiting the taking of cubs or mothers with cubs.
Methods may include hunting over bait and using trained dogs to locate bears.
This would mark the first such hunt since 2015, when a controversial season was cut short after over 300 bears were killed within 48 hours, sparking public backlash.
Critics say the current proposal relies on outdated data, with the last statewide bear population estimate conducted that same year.
Public sentiment remains largely against the hunt. In a survey conducted by the FWC, 75% of more than 13,000 respondents opposed the plan.
Animal welfare groups, scientists, and conservationists have urged the commission to explore non-lethal alternatives instead.