The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission ended four hours of public debate and discussion by voting 4-1 for preliminary rules to guide what would become an annual bear “harvest,” the ...

Arix Zalace, the director and co-writer of “The Paper Bear,” spent years following Florida black bears in the Florida Panhandle. The film premieres at Florida Film Festival.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working on a plan to issue 187 permits to harvest black bears in mid-December. A permit allows the harvest of one bear.

A Florida black bear hunt is a bad idea because the population is already so small, he said. The hunt in 2015 was a mess, he added. “ I'm not against hunting, but it needs to be done right ...

No Floridians should have to worry about the consequences of killing a bear when they, or their loved ones, are in danger,” Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida ...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners voted 4-1 May 21 to have a black bear hunt for 23 days in December, but the measure must be voted on again in August to be finalized. This ...

68 bears from 11 eastern Panhandle counties; ... When would the Florida black bear hunt take place? The FWC is considering a hunt from Dec. 6 through Dec. 28, 2025.

Florida black bears can be found in almost half of Florida. In some areas, especially in Southwest and Central Florida and along the Panhandle, ...

Florida black bears are common in the state, with FWC estimating approximately 4,050 in the state. If you see a Florida black bear, FWC allows you to report any sightings, with or without photos ...

Florida black bears are common in the state, with FWC estimating approximately 4,050 in the state. If you see a Florida black bear, FWC allows you to report any sightings, with or without photos ...