Bear Hunt

We learn more about a Tampa Bay Times investigation that found a "side door" in the foster care system that can leave parents struggling to reunite with their children.

The school district may have to close a number of campuses and merge others. District officials have difficult choices confronting them amid concerns for students, staff and teachers.

Last year's hunt was the first since 2015 and sparked backlash from animal rights organizations. This year's application period ends Sept. 21, and the season runs Dec. 5-28.

FWC officials have warned that a move to lower the kill count by bear hunt opponents by securing numerous permits would likely result in an increase quota for subsequent hunts.

The lawsuit contends the FWC relied on outdated bear population numbers and lacked scientific justification for the December 2025 hunt that resulted in 52 bears being killed over a three-week period. A trial is set to begin in August.

A fact sheet posted Friday showed that all but six of the 172 permits purchased were by Florida residents.

In total, 52 bears were killed — less than a third of the potential number. No citations were issued.

Florida plans to make the hunt an annual event, although details about next season’s dates have not been released.

The hunt, which started Dec. 6 and ended Sunday, had been restricted to 172 permit holders who had won vouchers through a random lottery involving more than 160,000 applicants.

The state-sanctioned hunt began Saturday, despite the vocal opposition of critics. Hunters who were issued one of the 172 permits will be able to kill one bear each.

The bear hunt, the first approved by the commission since 2015, could lead to as many as 172 bears being killed in four regions of the state.

Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida, with the last hunt held in 2015. The commission on Aug. 13 approved this year’s hunt, which is scheduled from Dec. 6 to Dec. 28.