The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given preliminary approval for a black bear hunt for December and into the future.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved proposed black bear hunting rule amendments for advertising ahead of a final vote in August 2025. If approved, the changes would take effect during the 2025-26 hunting season.

A Florida board of wildlife commissioners greenlit a set of rules that would lay the groundwork for the first bear hunt in a decade, after more than three hours of heated public comment Wednesday. The plan to amend Florida‘s hunting rules was presented in Ocala to commissioners for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,