Katrina Shadix

Stories

Florida’s black bear hunt returns: science, politics and a once–threatened species

Celebrated low 2025 harvest numbers despite opposition

Florida launched a state-sanctioned black bear hunt on December 6, 2025, the first since 2015. The state allowed 172 lottery-selected permit holders to kill one bear each across four hunting zones. Only 52 bears were harvested by season's end on December 28, per FWC data released December 29.

Updated May 10

Notable Quotes

Shadix’s group argued in court that killing up to 187 bears would cause “imminent and irreparable harm” to the species and that FWC was “flying blind” by relying on decade‑old population estimates.([wgcu.org](https://www.wgcu.org/section/environment/2025-09-18/animal-rights-groups-lawsuit-challenges-florida-bear-hunt?utm_source=openai))

from Florida’s black bear hunt returns: science, politics and a once–threatened species · Updated May 10

On the permit‑buyout strategy, she said her group is offering $2,000 per permit so “these beautiful bears can live.”([people.com](https://people.com/florida-launches-first-black-bear-hunt-since-2015-as-critics-oppose-decision-11863662?utm_source=openai))

from Florida’s black bear hunt returns: science, politics and a once–threatened species · Updated May 10