ORLANDO, Fla. – The countdown is on for Florida’s bear-hunting enthusiasts as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officially unveils details for this year’s hunting season. Prospective bear hunters, take note – specific guidelines must be followed to ensure compliance.
WHEN CAN YOU APPLY?
Mark your calendars: Applications for bear harvest permits are set to begin at 10 a.m. on September 11. Aspiring hunters have until 11:59 p.m. on September 21 to submit their entries for this season’s opportunity.
To participate in bear hunting within the four designated “Bear Harvest Zones,” an approved permit is essential. The hunting season spans from December 5 to 27, and a hunting license will also be required, except for those exempt from this rule.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must be at least 18 years old by Oct. 1 to apply, and they may apply as many times as they want for $5 per application (along with handling fees).
In addition, permits will be distributed by random drawing, and only one nontransferable permit may be issued per person, FWC officials said.
These permits will cost $100 for Florida residents, and $300 for nonresidents (along with handling fees).
No more than 10% of all permits issued will be to nonresidents.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT AN APPLICATION?
Once the application period begins, hunters may submit an application online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by logging into their account and choosing “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permits.”
Alternatively, hunters can fill out an application worksheet and present it to a license agent or Florida tax collector’s office.
For more information on how to apply, visit the FWC’s website here and click on “Limited Entry and Quota Permits.”
You can also click here for more details on bear hunting in Florida.
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