First up, hunters, take note. Florida is expanding its December bear hunt. This year, the state will issue up to 215 permits, compared to 172 last year. The hunt stretches from December 5 to 27 across four regions. Last year marked Florida’s first bear hunt since 2015 and ended with hunters taking 52 bears over 23 days.

If you’re looking to get in, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opens permit applications September 11. It’s $5 per entry for 193 available permits. The remaining 22 go to landowners with at least 5,000 adjoining acres and five documented bears on their property. 

Last year, opponents of the hunt tried to limit participation by flooding the application pool, nearly 15,000 people filed over 160,000 entries, then let many permits go unused. Officials say this kind of tactic might just lead to more permits next time.

Supporters argue that hunting helps control bear numbers, especially as bears turn up more often in neighborhoods. They also point to the constitutional hunting and fishing rights voters added in 2024. Opponents say hunting won’t really cut down on run-ins with bears and argue for nonlethal management.

Young Bear Breaks into Local Zoo

Now, for a different sort of encounter, a young black bear caused quite a stir by breaking into the Naples Zoo, forcing staff to evacuate visitors Saturday afternoon.

Zoo officials quickly cleared the grounds, making sure everyone got out safely. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers arrived soon after to plan the bear’s capture.

Biologists hope the bear leaves on its own, but if it hangs around, they’ll likely set up a trap to relocate it. This time of year, bears are out and about, searching for food. Young bears leaving their mothers wander widely, which explains how one might end up somewhere unexpected, like a zoo.

Breeding season in Florida runs from June through August, so male bears are extra active during these months as they search for mates. And as fall approaches, you’ll see even more movement as bears push through urban areas on the lookout for something to eat.

Florida’s black bears don’t hibernate the way they do up north, but they still need to pack on fat ahead of winter. An adult aims for about 20,000 calories daily in the fall. This drive leads them to roam far in search of food, and sometimes into neighborhoods if they sniff out easy pickings.

To keep bears moving along, wildlife officials urge homeowners to get rid of anything that draws them in: garbage cans without secure lids, pet food left outside, bird feeders, and anything edible. Feeding bears, even accidentally, just teaches them it’s safe (and profitable) to hang around people.

As for the Naples Zoo bear, officials will keep everyone posted as the situation develops.

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