US EditionNon-Hunters Snagged at Least 44 Florida Bear Hunt Permits, Records Show
Bear Warriors United challenges Florida Fish and Wildlife's hunt permit citing outdated 2015 population data and public opposition with over 80,000 petition signatures.
- On Monday, Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey denied a temporary injunction to stop the hunt scheduled to begin on Dec. 6.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission based its August approval on a 2015 study estimating the black bear population at over 4,000, but revised the original 187-permit plan after a subpopulation study showed a two-thirds decline.
- A total of 172 permits were issued by lottery, with wildlife advocates reportedly securing between 40 and 50 permits, after applicants paid $5 t.
- While the temporary injunction was denied, the lawsuit will continue as the judge left the state's motion to dismiss unresolved, and attorney Thomas P. Crapps warned of irreparable harm to bear populations.
- A state data review indicates a 50% population increase from 2002 to 2015 but less than 1% growth since 2015, while Raquel Levy said, `We have an overpopulation of greed, an overpopulation of corruption, of developers, but there is no bear overpopulation.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Naples Daily News
Tallahassee DemocratCourt clears way for this year’s Florida bear hunt
Florida's bear hunt is on for this December, but the verdict for 2026 and onward is still out.
Florida bear hunt to take place next month after judge rejects injunction
The real problem, according to hunting critics: unsecured trash cans. (Photo via FWC)Florida’s first bear hunt in a decade will take place as scheduled next month after a state judge on Monday denied a motion by a conservation group to stop it from taking place. Leon County Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey denied the temporary preliminary injunction sought by Bear Warriors United, which argued the hunt authorization was based on outdated data and wi…
Non-hunters snagged at least 44 Florida bear hunt permits, records show
Our News 6 team submitted a public records request to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to find out how many people applied, how many entries they submitted, and who actually got one of the 172 permits for the bear hunt.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
