TOLD TROOPERS ARRESTED THEM. >> JUST INTO OUR NEWS ROOM, FWC SAYS 52 BEARS WERE KILLED IN THIS MONTH’S BEAR HUNT A LOT LESS THAN 172 PERMITS WERE ISSUED ACROSS THE STATE. EACH PERMIT ALLOWED TO HARVEST OF ONE BEAR. THERE’S A LOT OF PUSHBACK OVER THE 3 WEEK-LONG HUNT, A GROUP CALLED BEAR WARRIORS UNIT

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed the numbers from this year’s black bear hunt.According to the FWC, a total of 172 permits were issued through a random drawing. Officials said 52 bears were killed during the 2025 bear hunt.FWC said that all harvested bears were physically checked by staff and bear response contractors and that a full harvest report will be released in the coming months.The regulated black bear hunt was approved to take place in December after the FWC voted in August to approve it for the 2025 hunting season.”The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said via news release.This was Florida’s first black bear hunt since October 2015.Previous coverage of Florida’s Black Bear Hunt:FWC gives approval for black bear hunt in December Injunction sought to halt Florida bear hunt Judge denies injunction to halt Florida bear hunt Opponents push to stop Florida bear hunt DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed the numbers from this year’s black bear hunt.

According to the FWC, a total of 172 permits were issued through a random drawing. Officials said 52 bears were killed during the 2025 bear hunt.

FWC said that all harvested bears were physically checked by staff and bear response contractors and that a full harvest report will be released in the coming months.

The regulated black bear hunt was approved to take place in December after the FWC voted in August to approve it for the 2025 hunting season.

“The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said via news release.

This was Florida’s first black bear hunt since October 2015.

Previous coverage of Florida’s Black Bear Hunt:

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.