ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the dates for the state’s upcoming bear-hunting season, but there are some rules prospective hunters should know first.
WHAT ARE THE DATES?
Bear harvest permit applications for the hunting seasion are slated to open at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11, and they can be submitted through Sept. 21 at 11:59 p.m.
Having one of these permits is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected “Bear Harvest Zones” between Dec. 5 – 27. A hunting license is also required to hunt bears, unless exempt.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old by Oct. 1 to apply, and they may apply as many times as they want for $5 per application (along with handling fees).
In addition, permits will be distributed by random drawing, and only one nontransferable permit may be issued per person, FWC officials said.
These permits will cost $100 for Florida residents, and $300 for nonresidents (along with handling fees).
No more than 10% of all permits issued will be to nonresidents.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT AN APPLICATION?
Once the application period begins, hunters may submit an application online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by logging into their account and choosing “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permits.”
Alternatively, hunters can fill out an application worksheet and present it to a license agent or Florida tax collector’s office.
For more information on how to apply, visit the FWC’s website here and click on “Limited Entry and Quota Permits.”
You can also click here for more details on bear hunting in Florida.
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