Hunters killed 52 black bears from four management zones during Florida’s first managed hunt in a decade that sparked widespread protests and support. Hunt seasons and quotas were established last year in four Bear Hunting zones with the state’s seven current Bear Management units. Within those four zones, 172 permits were issued for the East Panhandle (68), North (31), Central (18) and South (55) BMUs.
Each permit allowed the harvest of one bear within the assigned BHZ. With 52 bears out of 172 permits, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission officials said the hunter success rate is close to those in other states with similar hunt parameters. Almost 163,500 applications at $5 each were submitted for the permit drawing. All harvested bears were physically checked by FWC staff and bear response contractors. The collected data will influence future management strategies.
“The 2025 black bear hunt was a success, and we’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the long-term health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.”
The FWC Division of Law Enforcement allocated additional resources to support a productive hunt while maintaining accountability among participants. Increased officer engagement and hunter education led to strong compliance with hunting regulations. Out of numerous positive interactions between officers and hunters, only one hunter received a warning for a minor Wildlife Management Area violation. No citations were issued. Additionally, the Division of Law Enforcement investigated all reported wildlife violations, and no wildlife violations were found.
“Our officers maintained a strong, engaged presence throughout the hunt to help ensure it was conducted safely and legally,” said Colonel Alberto Maza, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “While our officers were there to uphold the rules, the primary focus was education. I’m proud of our officers for protecting this important resource and supporting the goals of the agency’s Bear Management Plan.”
As one of the management tools included in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, regulated hunting allows the FWC to manage population growth rates in areas with the largest bear subpopulations. Balancing wildlife numbers with suitable habitat keeps populations healthy.
