Story perspectives

Florida Approves Controversial Bear Hunt Amid Conservation Concerns

9/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a bear hunt from December 6-28, 2025, with 187 hunting tags available.
The previous bear hunt in 2015 resulted in over 300 bears killed, including many lactating females.
Conservation groups urge nonhunters to apply for tags to protect bears.
Some hunters criticize the hunt due to outdated population data and hunting methods.
Wildlife advocates recommend bear-proof trash cans to reduce human-bear interactions instead of hunting.

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Story summary

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a bear hunt from December 6-28, 2025, with 187 hunting tags available.
The previous bear hunt in 2015 resulted in over 300 bears killed, including many lactating females.
Conservation groups urge nonhunters to apply for tags to protect bears.
Some hunters criticize the hunt due to outdated population data and hunting methods.
Wildlife advocates recommend bear-proof trash cans to reduce human-bear interactions instead of hunting.