HAVANA, Fla. — Florida’s black bear is returning after a decade-long absence.
On Wednesday, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously approved new rules for the 23-day hunt, which will commence from Dec. 6-28.
The new rules include a permit system for hunting in four geographic areas across the state.
The rules also allow for using dogs to hunt in the unit and feeder stations.
The approval means 187 bear hunting permits will be issued through a lottery system this year.
The permits issued will vary annually depending on factors including bear population and on hunting success rates.
The agency says the regulated hunt is to help manage the black bear population. Officials say Florida’s black bear population has gone from several hundred in the 1970s to over 4,000 today.
The last official hunt was in October 2015.
Get more information on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.
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