TALLAHASSEE, Florida — State wildlife officials last week said 52 black bears were killed during Florida’s first hunt in a decade, which ended Dec. 28.
Details: In a statement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young called the 22-day hunt a success and said it was “rooted in sound scientific data.” The state sold 172 bear tags, or permits for hunters whose names were chosen through a lottery.
“We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” Young said. “The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the long-term health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.”
Bear hunting opponents also claimed victory after having bought 43 of the tags and paid more than a dozen hunters $2,000 or more not to use theirs.
