A summary of the 2025 black bear hunting season in Florida has been released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The fact sheet, available at MyFWC.com/BearHunting, presents preliminary data while a comprehensive harvest report is still being compiled.
According to the FWC, Florida residents purchased 97% (166) of the 172 permits sold for the season. During the 23-day period, hunters harvested 52 bears statewide. This resulted in a minimum hunter success rate of 30.2%, though this figure may increase as additional survey information is collected from hunters.
Of the bears harvested, 46% (24) were female and 54% (28) were male. Biological data was gathered from all harvested bears by FWC biologists or contractors. All animals met size requirements for legal harvest, and no warnings or citations were issued for violations of bear hunting regulations.
The FWC emphasizes that general information about bears and advice on reducing human-bear conflicts can be found at MyFWC.com/Bear and BearWise.org.
The commission’s work is influenced by notable wildlife researchers such as Lovett Williams, whose contributions are recognized in its history. The agency also secures external grants that account for over 40% of its funding to support important research projects (source). Facilities like the Wildlife Research Laboratory in Gainesville provide specialized equipment and resources for wildlife studies (source).
The FWC encourages public participation in conservation decision-making to promote appreciation of natural resources among various communities (source). Its mission centers on protecting, conserving, and managing Florida’s fish and wildlife through research and technical expertise (source).
The Wildlife Research Laboratory features facilities such as an alligator egg incubator and holding pens used for different species, including those originally intended for brown pelican restocking (source).
###
