FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats : Species Information : Black Bears

Bears in Florida

Welcome to the official bear web page of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), combining information from the Bear Management and Research Programs of both the Division of Habitat & Species Conservation and the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute. Our goal is to be your source for information on Florida's black bears.

The draft Black Bear Management Plan is available online for public review and comment through Oct. 1.

The FWC will hold public meetings to gather input on the plan in several locations around the state.  The first meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. in Apalachicola City Hall. Other meeting dates will be announced as arrangements are finalized.  (news release)

Browse around with the links on the right to look for:

range maps rules and regulations Chronological History of Bears in Florida Human/Bear Interaction and roads What to do if you encounter a bear information about camping and hunting within bear country teacher resources activities for children research conducted in the past and present, and a list of links to other black bear web pages including information on the Wakulla Wildlife Festival, Florida Black Bear Festival and Forgotten Coast Black Bear Festival.