Florida Black Bear Hunt Approved for December ⁢2025, Faces Legal​ Challenge

Tallahassee, FL – ​A ⁢controversial decision by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation ⁤Commission ⁣(FWC) to reinstate an annual black bear ‌hunt has ignited a legal battle with conservation groups. The ⁢hunt, slated to begin December ⁣6⁢ and run through december 27, 2025, will allow for the harvest of up to 55 black ‌bears⁢ across designated areas of the state.

Legal Challenge Filed by Bear Warriors ‌United

Bear Warriors United filed a formal complaint‌ with the state’s Division of Administrative Hearings on August 15, alleging procedural ​violations and a lack of scientific ⁢justification for the hunt. The group, ​represented by attorney⁢ Raquel Levy of Daytona⁤ Beach, contends the FWC circumvented established ⁤protocols, disregarded‌ public input, and improperly‍ delegated authority ⁣to its executive director.

Levy asserts the FWC failed to demonstrate‍ a scientific ⁤basis for‌ the hunt during ​public meetings, violating the Legislature’s ​mandate⁣ for data-driven⁣ wildlife management.She further argues that allowing the executive director to unilaterally determine​ hunt details represents an​ overreach of authority. Florida law dose not‌ grant⁢ the⁤ executive director the authority​ to make⁤ decisions regarding the lasting ⁤management‍ of ⁢wildlife, Levy stated.

Did You Know?

Florida’s black bear⁣ population has rebounded significantly since a hunting ban was implemented in 1994, rising from approximately ‍1,000 to an estimated⁣ 4,000 bears today.

Hunt Details and Quotas

The approved hunting season will⁤ span 23 days in December, with 187 permits available to​ hunters. Each permit ‌allows ⁢for⁢ the harvest of one ​bear within‍ one of ⁤four ⁣designated bear management⁤ units‍ (BMUs) out ‍of seven statewide. Future hunt dates, locations, and quotas will be resolute annually ⁣by the FWC’s executive director.

Rising Bear-Human Interactions Prompt Action

The ⁤FWC’s ​decision to reinstate the hunt follows ⁤a marked increase in reported bear-human interactions. nuisance ⁣calls related ‍to bears have surged from around 2,000 ⁢in‍ 2016 to over 6,000 in 2024 ⁢ (FWC Data). FWC Chair‍ Rodney Barreto initially directed ⁤agency⁢ biologists to develop a hunt⁢ plan last December following a review of bear management strategies.

Pro ‍Tip:

Understanding bear behavior and taking preventative measures, such as securing⁢ food sources, can significantly reduce ‌the likelihood of bear-human‍ conflicts.

Conservation Groups Voice Opposition

A coalition of conservation groups has actively campaigned against ​the hunt, ⁢arguing it is indeed unneeded and detrimental to the state’s‍ bear‍ population. Marsha‌ Biggs of the Sierra Club urged the FWC to ​prioritize non-lethal methods of managing bear populations and to publicly release the scientific⁤ data supporting the hunt. ⁤ Let’s see​ the science and let’s evaluate it ⁢before⁢ you call for a hunt, Biggs stated during a public meeting.

The FWC⁣ maintains it does not comment on pending litigation. The outcome⁢ of the legal challenge filed ⁣by Bear Warriors ​United will determine whether the December 2025 hunt proceeds ​as planned. What‍ impact‍ will this hunt ⁤have on Florida’s bear ‍population, and what alternative strategies could be employed to mitigate bear-human conflicts?

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Do you‍ have thoughts ⁢on the FWC’s decision?⁤ Share your opinions in the comments below!