Florida received 163,459 applications for its first bear hunt in ten years, far exceeding available permits.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will award 172 permits by lottery for the December hunt.
Hunters may kill one bear per permit in regions with sufficient bear populations.
Florida officials estimate the state hosts roughly 4,000 black bears.
Conservationists Join Lottery to Save Bears
Organizations such as the Sierra Club encouraged people to apply for permits and not use them.
Chuck O’Neal of Speak Up Wekiva said this tactic will protect bears and influence hunting rules for decades.
Environmentalists argue human encroachment, not bears, causes most conflicts with humans in the state.
Opponents also filed lawsuits seeking to block the hunt, questioning its necessity.
New Rules Aim to Reduce Risks
The FWC restricted this hunt compared with the 2015 event, which caused chaos and early shutdowns.
Hunters must avoid cubs and females with cubs, and permits cost $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents.
Private landowners with over 5,000 acres can run “bear harvest programs” and allow bait stations and bowhunting.
Future hunts may run from October to December, allowing up to six dogs per hunter under new studies.
Florida also manages alligator hunting and invasive python removal, offering competitions and prizes to encourage eradication.
