Florida OKs First Black Bear Hunt in a Decade — Collier Co. Residents Brace for Impact

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has unanimously approved a 23‑day black bear hunting season scheduled for December 2025 — marking the first such hunt in a decade. The decision follows months of heated debate, a tragic bear attack in Collier County, and a community poised to push back.

What’s Now in Motion:

• Key Dates & Scope: The hunt will run from the first Saturday in December through the final Sunday — roughly a 23‑day stretch.

• Permits & Participation: Only 187 permits will be issued via lottery; residents pay $100, non‑residents $300. Each permit allows one bear. Hunters are prohibited from targeting cubs or lactating females.

• Hunting Methods: The rules restrict hunting to designated zones within broader Bear Management Units. Methods include bows, firearms, and (beginning in 2027) trained hunting dogs and baiting.

Debate: Conservation Tool or Cruelty?

Supporters argue the hunt is a responsible wildlife-management tool, needed to curb increasing bear encounters and protect Floridians after a fatal bear attack in Collier County this past May left an 89-year-old man and his dog dead.

Opponents blast it as barbaric, unscientific, and economically motivated. Environmental groups point to the notoriously flawed 2015 hunt — which was halted after 304 bears, including mothers and cubs, were killed in just two days — as warning enough. Critics also note that 75% of over 13,000 public comments submitted earlier this year were opposed to the hunt.

Collier County Angle: Why Local Should Care

• Bear territory overlaps large portions of Southwest Florida — including parts of Collier County.

• Public Safety Concerns: With growing development and bear sightings near neighborhoods, many locals are anxious, especially after the tragic Jerome incident.

• Legal Challenge Brewing: Bear Warriors United and other groups have already filed — or plan to file — lawsuits to block the hunt. Outcomes may evolve quickly and affect implementation.

What to Watch for:

• Lottery Application Window — Be ready if you're eligible and care about hunting or wildlife policy.

• Legal Developments — Court decisions in Leon County could pause or alter the hunt before it starts.

• Community Preparedness — Whether you're a hunter, conservationist, or homeowner, this decision affects your backyard — and future coverage.