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Florida Bear Hunt Faces Court Test After Capitol Protests

A Leon County judge will decide whether to temporarily block the 172 issued permits and the December season approved by wildlife regulators.

Overview

  • Conservation groups rallied at the state Capitol as Sierra Club Florida bused supporters to press Gov. Ron DeSantis to halt the hunt.
  • Bear Warriors United will argue for a temporary injunction at a virtual hearing on Nov. 24 at 2 p.m., while the wildlife commission seeks dismissal.
  • Opponents say they secured about 40 of the 172 permits and plan to leave them unused as part of efforts to curb the hunt.
  • The season is scheduled for Dec. 6–28 with one bear allowed per permit across four regions: Apalachicola, west of Jacksonville, north of Orlando, and Big Cypress.
  • Critics contend the commission relied on outdated science, while officials and hunting advocates cite expanded bear populations and rising human-bear conflicts to justify a limited harvest.