Florida Announces Expanded Bear Hunt With Higher Kill Quota
Florida's upcoming bear hunt, scheduled from December 5 to December 27, will allow for more bear kills than the previous year, with up to 215 permits being issued across four designated regions of the state. This expansion follows a 2025…
Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, August 31, 2026 — Florida is set to hold its upcoming bear hunt from December 5 to December 27, with an increased allowance for bear kills compared to the previous year. This year’s hunt will permit up to 215 bears to be killed across four designated regions within the state.
This quota represents an expansion from the most recent hunt for which data was provided. In a 2025 hunt, a total of 52 bears were killed. The specific number of permits issued or the kill quota for that prior event was not detailed in the information available.
The annual bear hunt continues to be a subject of debate. Opponents of the hunt are seeking to implement measures aimed at limiting the number of bears that can be harvested. Conversely, supporters of the hunt advocate for it as a tool for managing the state’s bear population, suggesting it is necessary for maintaining ecological balance and public safety. The specific arguments and proposed limits from each side were not detailed.
Further details regarding the designated hunting regions and the specific management strategies underpinning the quota were not provided. The duration of the hunt is set for slightly over three weeks.
Story summarized from the original created by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida on www.orlandoweekly.com, see more information here.
