Is it legal to hunt black bears in Florida?
No. It is illegal to hunt bears in Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) currently is not proposing a bear hunting season. However, the FWC has developed a draft bear management plan that does not rule out bear hunting or other lethal controls as possible future management tools. Stakeholders and the general public will have opportunities to comment on the draft plan before it is finalized. Was it ever legal to hunt bears in Florida?
Yes, but in 1971 bear hunting was closed in most areas of the state; exceptions were Baker and Columbia counties and the Apalachicola National Forest. In 1993, biologists presented a report to the then Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission on managing black bears in Florida. This report recommended that bear hunting seasons be closed statewide. This recommendation was based on several factors, including a survey that indicated the public could not understand how hunting a threatened species could be allowed. In addition, the survey reported 60.2 percent of respondents were opposed to a bear hunt. In 1994, bear hunting in all areas of the state ended. What is the bear population in Florida?
The best scientifically valid population estimates total 2,500 to 3,000 bears statewide. Bears currently occupy 18 percent of their historic range in eight relatively isolated bear populations. While some populations appear to be doing well, others are clearly still recovering. Is the Florida black bear considered a threatened species?
Florida black bears are listed as a threatened species in most of the state, except in Baker and Columbia counties and the Apalachicola National Forest. Is it possible the Florida black bear will be delisted as a threatened species?
Currently, the FWC is reviewing and revising the imperiled species listing process for all species. Until a new process is approved, the FWC is not considering any petitions to change any specific species’ classifications. There is no critical need to change the classification of the Florida black bear at this time. Wouldn’t hunting bears end human/bear conflicts?
No. Hunting is used to attain wildlife population goals rather than to resolve conflict issues. States that allow bear hunting also have human/bear conflicts. Whenever bears and people live near each other, conflicts are possible as bears seek out human food sources like garbage, bird seed and pet food.
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