Bear Hunting Season Begins In Florida

The permits, which became available for both resident and non-resident hunters Monday, are for the state’s controversial new open season on black bears. The Florida Wildlife Commission estimates that over 3,000 black bears are now roaming the state and of the 16 known bear attacks on humans in the state, four have occurred in the past year.

The Special-Use Bear Permit is required in order to harvest a bear during the week-long (2 to 7 days depending on if the bear harvest goal is met), bear hunting season. There is no limit to the number of Special-Use Bear Permits that can be sold, but there will be a Harvest Quota, which will limit the number of bears that can be harvested during the season. Additionally, hunters will need to report their harvest to a check station. The season set to run from August 3, 2015.

 

• Permit Availability Dates: August 3, 2015, to October 23, 2015, at 11:59 am.
• Cost: $100 for Florida residents, $300 for non-residents
• Requirements:
  • A hunting license, unless you are exempt from having one, is required to harvest a bear.
  • If you are hunting on a WMA, you also need a management area permit, unless exempt.  (except where a management area permit is not required on Apalachicola River WEA and Tyndall Air Force Base).
  • Depending upon which WMA you plan to hunt on, other seasons may overlap with the bear season. In this case, you may also need a quota permit, and/or an archery or muzzleloading gun season permit.