South Florida Bear Hunting

Good afternoon,

The topic of black bear hunting in South Florida remains highly contentious. Several years ago, a hunting season was introduced, and the quota of approximately 200 bears was met in under 36 hours. Due to significant opposition from non-hunting communities in Florida, the season was subsequently closed. However, with the recent rise in the black bear population, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reopened discussions about reinstating a hunting season.

I was recently interviewed by a local news station, and the resulting article was, in my view, well-written, though some of the FWC’s points were only partially accurate. I thought it would be valuable to share with this group.

I’d like to hear your perspectives on black bear hunting in South Florida. Do you support it, or are you opposed? Additionally, have any of you heard about the recent incident involving an elderly man who was tragically killed by a black bear in Florida?

Thank you for your thoughts.


Joe Cooper

They are a problem in St Johns County. Population needs to be thinned.

I definitely agree with black bear hunting in South Florida. I read in the latest issue of Safari Times that the FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering authorizing a regulated bear hunt starting this Fall. I'd stay in their faces about their possible roll-out plan; no doubt restricted permits by county with dates....or how/if they intend to do it.

Yessir, I am down south in Henry County. Their population is definitely out of control down here.

Here's an interesting article about what FWC does with all the nuisance bears they capture. I have been on the property before and it's pretty crazy to see. A restricted season is definitely necessary, not to mention FWC just leaving these animals for the birds after they euthanize them.

I agree....and guess what else eats those carcasses besides the birds?.....growing another already existing problem. At least we can hunt the hogs.

ohhh yea tell me about it.. Unfortunately I'm located in the heart of Florida mountain lion country. I know they're not scavenging on car-cases but they do some good work at keeping just about any and everything else away. Well besides hogs...

I’ve been watching this closely as I live here. Lots of anti-hunting sentiment in Collier County, even after the recent fatality. There should be a bear season, managed like deer or alligator seasons.

Yessir, I've seen tons of anti-hunting propaganda for a black bear season. That fatality was very unfortunate, but truthfully I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner.

Saw that down by Orlando today.

Our ancestors used to value human life over animal life and today, inside every anti-predator hunting protestor is someone with a callous disregard for human life combined with naivete about wildlife in general. What Florida is experiencing is similar to the challenges with wolves in the West...

PASSED THE FIRST VOTE. ANOTHER IN AUGUST. STILL THINK THEY WILL BUCKLE TO THE ANTI'S.

Elite Hunting Outfitters said:

Good afternoon,

The topic of black bear hunting in South Florida remains highly contentious. Several years ago, a hunting season was introduced, and the quota of approximately 200 bears was met in under 36 hours. Due to significant opposition from non-hunting communities in Florida, the season was subsequently closed. However, with the recent rise in the black bear population, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reopened discussions about reinstating a hunting season.

I was recently interviewed by a local news station, and the resulting article was, in my view, well-written, though some of the FWC’s points were only partially accurate. I thought it would be valuable to share with this group.

I’d like to hear your perspectives on black bear hunting in South Florida. Do you support it, or are you opposed? Additionally, have any of you heard about the recent incident involving an elderly man who was tragically killed by a black bear in Florida?

Thank you for your thoughts.


Joe Cooper

https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/environment/2025/05/12/florida-bear-hunt-2025-proposal-attack/83479759007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4qvCeNIrj1IQl5cfVtHkHES_vdNCoTi95JZ2poxU02aTU3EP2Gy6FNTiNjfQ_aem_fephpKySZsByInnwQdx28A

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Not just south fl
All of fl
Been trying to get support for it
And have given everyone I know the Fwc questionnaire thing about it

Elite Hunting Outfitters said:

ohhh yea tell me about it.. Unfortunately I'm located in the heart of Florida mountain lion country. I know they're not scavenging on car-cases but they do some good work at keeping just about any and everything else away. Well besides hogs...

Click to expand...

Don’t let them lie to you about the mt lion/ panther
There in a lot of places that Fwc says there not.
Saw a mom and cubs in 3 different county’s in the panhandle over the last few years

Flbt said:

Don’t let them lie to you about the mt lion/ panther
There in a lot of places that Fwc says there not.
Saw a mom and cubs in 3 different county’s in the panhandle over the last few years

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Yessir, I know all about them Florida mt lions. I live in the woods about 30 miles south of Lake Okeechobee. Over the past couple years I have recorded 12 or 13 different cats on my property alone. I could only imagine how many I haven't been able to see. Not to mention the half dozen or so I've seen dead on the side of the highway.