NAPLES, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials are moving forward with a controversial proposal to reinstate a state-sanctioned bear hunt — a decision that has sparked both support and opposition following the state’s first fatal bear attack earlier this year.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-1 in May to advance a proposal that would establish a 23-day bear hunting season each December, pending a final vote scheduled for Aug. 13–14.
FWC says the hunt is intended to help manage the state’s growing black bear population and reduce the risk of future human-bear conflicts.
The issue gained renewed attention after authorities said 89-year-old Robert Markel and his dog were killed by a black bear in May near his daughter’s home. A woman had called 911 after witnessing the attack on the dog. Authorities later found Markel’s remains in a wooded area nearby.
FWC estimates more than 4,000 black bears live in Florida. Under the current 2025 recommendation, up to 187 bears could be harvested statewide, including 55 in the South Zone, which includes parts of Southwest Florida.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare advocates, including the group Bear Defenders, which argues the plan is a fear-driven reaction to a tragic but rare event. The group is calling for non-lethal population management strategies instead.
FWC officials say any approved hunt would follow strict regulations, including permit limits and regional quotas, and is necessary to prevent future encounters that could turn deadly.
A final decision on the proposal is expected during next week’s commission meeting.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
