August 23, 2025 – In a unanimous vote this August, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved the reinstatement of a regulated black bear hunting season—the first in the state since 2015. For those of us who champion science-based conservation and ethical hunting, this decision marks a significant return to proven wildlife management practices grounded in sustainability and stewardship.
As North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization, Pope & Young supports wildlife management rooted in data, ecology, and respect for the species we pursue. Florida’s move to reintroduce limited black bear hunting is not about recreation alone—it’s about responsible population control, long-term habitat protection, and preserving the integrity of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
Florida’s black bear population has seen a remarkable recovery over the past several decades. Once listed as a threatened species in the state, bears rebounded thanks to targeted conservation efforts, protected habitat, and limited human intervention. Today, the statewide population is estimated at over 4,000 bears—a conservation success by any standard.
However, success brings new challenges. Rather than allow nature to self-correct through starvation, disease, or unchecked conflict, the FWC has chosen a proactive, balanced path. The approved 23-day hunting season—beginning in December 2025—will operate under strict quotas, methods, and regional limits designed to ensure that only a small, sustainable portion of the population is harvested. Only 187 permits will be issued across four Bear Management Units (BMUs), with harvest restricted to male bears only to protect reproductive sustainability.
This decision was not made lightly, nor was it driven by politics or pressure. It followed years of biological assessments, population studies, and public feedback. Florida’s 2019 Black Bear Management Plan, developed in collaboration with wildlife scientists, outlines the state’s framework for balancing species health with human coexistence. This plan remains the foundation for all bear-related policies in the state.
The FWC’s latest move reflects a return to the core values of modern conservation:
- Harvest only when populations can support it.
- Use science to set limits, not sentiment.
- Manage wildlife as a public trust resource for current and future generations.
Pope & Young stands in full support of the Florida Wildlife Commission’s decision to reinstate a regulated bear hunting season based on biological science and conservation principles. As an organization dedicated to ethical bowhunting, we recognize that wildlife management must always be rooted in sustainability, not sentiment.
About Pope and Young:
The Pope and Young Club is North America's leading voice in support of bowhunting and related conservation initiatives. If you're a fair chase, ethical bowhunter who cares about preserving, protecting, and promoting the culture and future of bowhunting, then you belong in the Pope and Young Club. Join today at www.pope-young.org.