Applications opened Friday for Florida’s first regulated black bear hunt in a decade, a lottery that will distribute just 187 harvest permits and has reignited a heated dispute between hunters and animal rights advocates.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began accepting online and agent-submitted permit entries at 10 a.m. EDT. Applicants may apply as many times as they wish; each entry costs $5 plus handling fees. The drawing runs through Sept. 22 at 11:59 p.m., and winners will receive a single, nontransferable permit. Resident permits cost $100; nonresident permits cost $300. No more than 10% of permits will be issued to nonresidents.
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The hunt is scheduled for Dec. 6–28 and will be limited to four selected bear-harvest zones that include parts of Clay, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. Hunters must be at least 18 years old by Oct. 1 and must also hold a valid Florida hunting license.
Inside Green Acres Sporting Goods, a stuffed bear sits as a reminder of why some residents want the state to allow the hunt. “You’re starting to see a lot more in residential areas,” said Z. Farhat, firearm manager at Green Acres Sporting Goods. “I think it’s good they’ve opened up the season at least at a limited degree.” Farhat added that customers are already gearing up and submitting applications…