Roger Young

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

Praised 2025 hunt as success rooted in science

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

FWC leaders have argued that “stabilizing the bear population through a limited hunt” will enhance the species’ long‑term survival by keeping numbers in line with available habitat.([wusf.org](https://www.wusf.org/courts-law/2025-11-25/judge-refuses-to-halt-floridas-bear-hunt?utm_source=openai))

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

"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."[2]

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