A controversial state-sanctioned bear hunt in Florida has concluded with the deaths of 52 black bears, sparking fierce debate between wildlife officials and animal rights campaigners.
Controversial Hunt Declared a Success
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the preliminary results of the three-week hunt, which ran from 6 to 28 December 2025. Officials described the cull as a success, stating it was a necessary measure to manage the state's ursine population.
Roger Young, the FWC's executive director, defended the action, noting that Florida's black bear numbers have rebounded from just a few hundred in the 1970s to more than 4,000 today. He stated the hunt was "rooted in sound scientific data" and aligned Florida with over 30 other US states that use regulated hunting for bear population control.
The commission issued 172 single-take hunting permits across four of its seven bear management zones, areas selected due to significant population growth. The final tally of 52 bears was markedly lower than the last authorised hunt in 2015, which was halted after just two days when nearly 300 bears were killed.
Animal Groups Condemn 'Bloody Spectacle'
Wildlife and humane societies have reacted with outrage, labelling the hunt a "heartbreaking, bloody spectacle". Kate MacFall, Florida state director for the Humane Society of the United States, pointed to a poll suggesting 81% of Florida residents oppose bear hunting, with even greater numbers against the use of bait and dogs.
"Seeing the photos of trophy hunters gloating over their slaughtered bears has been deeply upsetting for all Floridians who love Florida’s bears and want them protected," MacFall said. Critics argue the FWC's decision in August to approve the hunt—the first in a decade—was based on flawed science and have assailed the permitted methods, including bait traps and archery.
While the use of dog packs was not approved for the 2025 hunt, the FWC has indicated this method will be "phased in" during future years. According to the Humane Society, bear hunting is legal in 32 states, but only 17 permit the use of dogs.
Scientific Management or 'Bloodlust'?
The FWC maintains that hunting is an effective conservation tool. George Warthen, the commission's chief conservation officer, framed it as a way to "help bears succeed over the long term" and guide "an iconic Florida species into the future".
Opponents, however, accuse the state of waging a "war on bears" driven by "bloodlust, not science". They have highlighted extreme political rhetoric, such as a 2024 claim by Republican state representative Jason Shoaf that black bears high on crack were breaking into homes.
The FWC has promised a full harvest report in the coming months, which will detail where and how the 52 bears were killed. As the debate continues, animal welfare groups vow to keep fighting to restore protections for Florida's black bears.
