Lawsuit Filed to Halt Planned Florida Black Bear Hunt

Tallahassee, September 21, 2025

News Summary

A conservation group, Bear Warriors United, has filed a lawsuit to block Florida’s upcoming black bear hunt scheduled for December 6. The group claims state wildlife managers used outdated population data and limited public input to approve the hunt that permits the killing of 187 bears over 23 days. Legal arguments highlight potential harm to the bear population and call into question the scientific methods used for population assessment. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission argues the hunt is necessary for managing bear populations and reducing human-bear conflicts.

Tallahassee — A conservation group filed a lawsuit on September 17 seeking to stop Florida’s planned black bear hunt, arguing state wildlife managers relied on outdated population data and limited public participation in approving the hunt.

Key developments

Bear Warriors United filed a 15-page lawsuit on September 17 in Leon County circuit court. The lawsuit seeks to block the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) from holding a black bear hunt scheduled to start on December 6. The FWC approved the hunt on August 13, and commission staff began accepting applications for permits last week, with 187 permits expected to be issued.

The approved hunt allows for up to 187 bears to be killed during a 23-day period. For this year’s hunt, the quota for bear kills includes: 68 bears in the Apalachicola region, 46 west of Jacksonville, 18 north of Orlando, and 55 in the Big Cypress region.

Legal and scientific claims

The lawsuit argues the FWC violated legal requirements by approving the hunt based on obsolete bear population numbers and that killing 187 bears would cause imminent and irreparable harm to the Florida black bear population. The filing disputes the scientific methodology used to assess bear populations and mortality of adult female bears and contends that a valid population abundance assessment may not be available until 2030.

The lawsuit also claims that the FWC limited public participation before the hunt’s approval. Bear Warriors United previously filed a challenge to the hunt at the state Division of Administrative Hearings but withdrew that filing after the commission indicated such challenges must be made in circuit court.

Agency position and management rationale

The FWC approved the hunt in a public meeting held in Gadsden County before an overflow audience. Commission leaders presented the hunt as a tool to manage bears as populations and human communities continue to coexist. Agency leaders stated the decision was guided by what they described as good science and presented the hunt as an additional method to reduce human-bear conflicts.

Agency staff have started accepting permit applications. Applications cost $5 each, with additional fees of $100 for Florida residents and $300 for non-residents. The commission expects to issue 187 permits for the hunt.

Population data and historical context

The most recent estimated population of Florida black bears is about 4,050, based on 2015 data. The state’s last bear hunt was held in 2015, and bear hunting has been controversial in Florida since that time. The conservation group contends that the agency’s reliance on the 2015 population estimate and existing mortality models does not reflect current conditions and that updated abundance analysis will not be available until 2030.

Alternatives and conflict reduction

Bear Warriors United promotes non-lethal alternatives to hunting, including bear-proofing garbage cans and other measures to reduce human-bear conflicts and discourage attractants that bring bears into developed areas.

What happens next

The lawsuit requests a court order to prevent the FWC from conducting the hunt on the schedule approved by the commission. The court will consider the legal arguments and procedural claims raised in the 15-page filing before any hunt-related permits are issued or the event proceeds on the planned December start date.

FAQ

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who filed the lawsuit and where?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Bear Warriors United filed a 15-page lawsuit on September 17 in Leon County circuit court.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What does the lawsuit seek to do?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The lawsuit seeks to block the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) from holding a black bear hunt scheduled to start on December 6.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How many bears could be killed under the approved hunt?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The approved hunt allows for up to 187 bears to be killed during a 23-day period.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What population estimate did the article cite?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The most recent estimated population of Florida black bears is about 4,050, based on 2015 data.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What are the regional quotas for the hunt?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “For this year’s hunt, the quota for bear kills includes: 68 bears in the Apalachicola region, 46 west of Jacksonville, 18 north of Orlando, and 55 in the Big Cypress region.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What does the lawsuit claim about public participation?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The lawsuit claims that the FWC limited public participation before the hunt’s approval.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What alternatives does Bear Warriors United promote?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Bear Warriors United promotes alternatives to hunting, such as bear-proofing garbage cans to reduce human-bear conflicts.”
}
}
]
}

Simple chart: Key features of the planned hunt and lawsuit

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

DeLand Resident Shoots Bear After Home Invasion
Florida Approves Limited Black Bear Hunting Season
Florida Approves First Black Bear Hunt in a Decade
Florida’s Economic Growth and Environmental Challenges
Beat the Heat: Indoor Activities in Central Florida
Orlando’s Latest Shazam Rankings Features Top Artists
Increased Black Bear Sightings Reported in Orlando
Orlando’s Public Meeting to Enhance Corrine/Virginia/Forest Corridor
Florida Experiences First Fatal Black Bear Attack
Tragic Black Bear Attack in Collier County, Florida

Additional Resources

• Tallahassee: Florida bear hunt challenged by lawsuit over outdated data
• ABC News: Conservationists sue to stop Florida’s black bear hunt
• News Journal: Bear Warriors back in court in battle against Florida black bear hunt
• My News 13: Bear harvest permit applications open
• Google Search: Florida black bear hunt

Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER

ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.