Rodney Barreto

Stories

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

Leading architect and public defender of renewed bear hunt

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

“We make decisions based on science,” Barreto said as FWC adopted the 2025 bear hunt rules over strong public opposition.([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/08/13/bear-hunt-florida-wildlife-commission/5ef036c2-7870-11f0-a013-3892e10b2f53_story.html?utm_source=openai))

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

Barreto has argued that Florida’s bear management is a national model and that regulated hunting is part of maintaining healthy populations.([news.wfsu.org](https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2025-08-13/fwc-approves-final-rules-for-bear-hunt-starting-this-december?utm_source=openai))

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