ORLANDO, Fla. — The first Florida bear hunting season in ten years kicked off Saturday. Permits were distributed to those in favor and against the hunt.
What You Need To Know
Florida’s first black bear hunting season in a decade kicked off Saturday
172 permits were distributed across the state, though some against the hunt obtained them and say they won’t use them
18 permits were available in the Central Florida region
The bear hunting season ends Dec. 28
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced 163,459 applications were submitted. 172 permits were distributed across the state.
In Central Florida, only 18 bear tags were available — the smallest of all four regions — based on the agency’s bear population growth model. Only one bear can be harvested per permit.
Hunters like Lewis Pryzstup applied several times, but had no luck receiving one.
“I’m always going to be applying to hopefully achieve a bear tag. I don’t see myself getting one anytime soon, but as long as they keep growing in population, which they should, I believe bear tags will become more available to the public,” said Pryzstup.
Others, like Chuck O’Neal, applied to receive a tag with the intention of not using it to save a bear’s life. He told Spectrum News he applied more than 200 times.
“I didn’t get a permit,” said O’Neal. “I know quite a few people who did get a permit, and I’m very happy that we sequestered around 50, maybe more, of the permits. So that’s 50 bears who won’t be shot.”
Organizations like Bear Warriors United offered incentives — $2,000 for hunters who agree not to use their permit and kill a bear.
“We hope to save bear lives and help people get through the holidays during these tough economic times,” said executive director Katrina R. Shadix in an email to Spectrum News.
Each application cost $5, ringing up $817,295 for the state. FWC says the money will be used for wildlife conservation and the State Game Trust Fund.
The bear hunting season ends Dec. 28.