Florida wildlife officials have released the final numbers from the 2025 black bear hunt, reporting a total harvest of 52 bears following a controversial approval process earlier this year.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the hunt concluded with zero major violations and a harvest rate comparable to other states with similarly strict regulations.
The framework for the hunt was finalized after public feedback sessions during the August and November 2025 Commission meetings. The new rules established specific Bear Hunting Zones (BHZ) inside four of the state’s seven management units: the East Panhandle, North, Central, and South regions.
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Access was tightly controlled through a random lottery drawing. The FWC issued 172 permits in total, with each permit allowing the hunter to harvest a single bear within their assigned zone.
“The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young.
Young noted that the limited permit numbers in areas with high bear density were designed as a “conservative approach.” The goal, he stated, was to ensure the long-term health of the species while still offering opportunities for hunters.
Every harvested bear was physically checked by FWC staff and contractors. Officials say the biological data collected during these checks will act as a baseline for future management decisions, with a full harvest report expected in the coming months.
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Enforcement was a major component of the operation. The FWC Division of Law Enforcement ramped up its presence in hunting zones, focusing on accountability and education.
The agency reported high compliance among participants. Despite numerous interactions between officers and hunters, only a single warning was issued for a minor Wildlife Management Area infraction. No citations were issued, and investigations into reported violations turned up no evidence of wrongdoing.
“While our officers were there to uphold the rules, the primary focus was education,” said Colonel Alberto Maza, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “I’m proud of our officers for protecting this important resource.”
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The hunt is part of the broader 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan. FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen described the hunt as a key component of the “North American Model of Wildlife Conservation,” aimed at guiding the species into the future.
However, officials clarified the distinction between population control and neighborhood safety. While the hunt is used to manage population growth rates in dense areas, the FWC emphasized that managing bear numbers does not necessarily stop human-bear conflicts. The agency stated that conflict prevention measures and other management practices will remain in place.
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