Despite months of pushback and controversy, Florida’s bear harvest permit applications are officially available. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says permits will be issued through a random drawing. The state is allowing 187 bears to be killed in the December hunt. “I think from a conservation perspective, this is a huge success. You know, this is a win. This has the potential to raise a lot of money for bear conservation. It shows that our wildlife agency, FWC, is really trying its best to adhere to the North American model of conservation,” said Mark Barton, PH.D, Legislation & conservation chair and Back Country Hunters & Anglers. However, it’s not just hunters who will be trying to get their hands on permits. Bear advocates who oppose this hunt are encouraging people to apply and not hunt the bears if they are selected. “The goal is to save one bear. One bear is, is saving one…we’d like to prevent. We tried as the huge coalition of wildlife advocates and environmental groups…and most of Floridians opposed. So we certainly didn’t want to have in the first place,” said Kate Macfall with the Humane World for Animals. You may apply as many times as you want. It costs $5 each time. You must be 18 years old by Oct. 1 to be eligible for the hunt. If selected, the cost to hunt bears is $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents. A bear harvest permit is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected bear harvest zones from Dec. 6-28. A hunting license is also required. Applications can be submitted through Sept. 22.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. —

Despite months of pushback and controversy, Florida’s bear harvest permit applications are officially available.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says permits will be issued through a random drawing.

The state is allowing 187 bears to be killed in the December hunt.

“I think from a conservation perspective, this is a huge success. You know, this is a win. This has the potential to raise a lot of money for bear conservation. It shows that our wildlife agency, FWC, is really trying its best to adhere to the North American model of conservation,” said Mark Barton, PH.D, Legislation & conservation chair and Back Country Hunters & Anglers.

However, it’s not just hunters who will be trying to get their hands on permits. Bear advocates who oppose this hunt are encouraging people to apply and not hunt the bears if they are selected.

“The goal is to save one bear. One bear is, is saving one…we’d like to prevent. We tried as the huge coalition of wildlife advocates and environmental groups…and most of Floridians opposed. So we certainly didn’t want to have [the hunt] in the first place,” said Kate Macfall with the Humane World for Animals.

You may apply as many times as you want. It costs $5 each time. You must be 18 years old by Oct. 1 to be eligible for the hunt. If selected, the cost to hunt bears is $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents.

A bear harvest permit is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected bear harvest zones from Dec. 6-28. A hunting license is also required.

Applications can be submitted through Sept. 22.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.