Activists Acquire Bear Hunt Permits to Protect Threatened Florida Bears

As of October 10th, 2025, the majority of the special permits to hunt Florida black bears in December have been claimed, according to a state wildlife spokesperson. However, a significant number of these permits are now in the hands of hunt opponents, who may offer a reprieve to an equal number of bears.

The permits were distributed through a random lottery which cost $5 per entry. More than 160,000 entries were submitted, with application numbers bolstered by a vigorous effort from conservationists to undermine the planned 172-bear harvest, the state's first in a decade. At least 39 permit-winners are unlikely to hunt, as they entered the lottery specifically to reduce the chances that bonafide hunters would win a tag entitling them to "take" or "harvest" a bear.

Central Florida, which has the most bears at around 1,200, has been a particular focus of concern. Many bears in this region are hit and killed every year while crossing roads. The state's wildlife agency has maintained that the harvest quotas are based on data and science, and they have no plans to increase the quota for this year's hunt, regardless of whether the tags are used.