Over 100 Bears Saved in Florida, Yet 52 Deaths Remain a Tragedy

Florida’s first black bear hunting season in more than a decade, which ended on December 28, resulted in the deaths of 52 black bears across the state. While every life lost is devastating, that number is far lower than the 172 permits issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This outcome reflects a significant, hard-won victory for Florida wildlife advocates and animal protection organizations nationwide.

In the months leading up to the hunt, advocates urged bear supporters to apply for hunting permits in order to keep them out of the hands of trophy hunters, successfully securing at least 43 permits in the process. Others went even further, compensating individuals who had obtained permits and intended to kill bears to refrain from participating in the hunt. Together, these efforts helped prevent countless deaths and spared the lives of more than 100 bears during a cruel and scientifically unsound hunting season.

More than 4,000 members of this community took action to defend Florida’s black bears. Your willingness to speak out made a real and measurable difference, and we are deeply grateful for this powerful show of solidarity.

Although many lives were saved, the deaths of 52 bears still represent a profound failure by the state of Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved this hunt despite its own data showing that habitat protection and coexistence strategies are the most effective ways to maintain healthy bear populations. This hunt was unnecessary, harmful, and inconsistent with evidence-based environmental science and public opinion in Florida. 

This trophy hunt should never have happened, and we will keep fighting to prevent the needless killing of bears everywhere. This petition will remain active so we can respond immediately if another bear hunt is proposed for 2026. We will continue to hold decision-makers accountable and fight until Florida’s black bears are protected, not targeted, and until no bear’s life is sacrificed for sport again.