Florida black bear

A private landowner meeting the eligibility requirements will receive up to three permits to harvest bears on their property between October 1 and December 31. No individual may harvest a bear on property enrolled in this Program except as provided for by the permit(s) issued pursuant to the program. Rules related to the Private Lands Bear Harvest Program are located in Florida Administrative Code (FAC), Chapter 68A-12.012(6)

Eligibility Requirements

1. Minimum property size of 5,000 contiguous acres within an established bear harvest zone with at least 50% qualifying as suitable bear habitat. Adjoining properties that form one contiguous piece of land of a minimum of 5,000 acres with at least 50% qualifying as suitable bear habitat may also qualify. View a GIS layer of statewide suitable bear habitat.
   • Note: The statewide bear habitat model may not match up with land cover maps because it uses multiple variables (including land cover type) to predict the characteristics of quality bear habitat. View details about the model and how it works.
2. An approved Bear Habitat Management Plan developed or approved by a Certified Wildlife Biologist® (i.e., Certified by The Wildlife Society) or developed by the FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program.
3. Minimum of four qualifying conservation activities annually that affect at least 10% of the property. Conservation-related activities for youth may only account for one of the four qualifying conservation activities required.
   • Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network Events
   • Rare/Threatened/Endangered Species Management
   • Forest/Silvicultural Management
   • Invasive Species Management
   • Wildlife Research/Surveys
   • Wetland Restoration/Enhancement
   • Prescribed Burning
   • Other FWC-Approved Practices
4. Documented presence of minimum required number of bears using the property between August 1 and December 31. Cubs (i.e., any bears weighing less than 100 lbs.) and bears within 300 feet of the property boundary do not count toward the required minimum number of bears. Number of permits and bears varies by property size: 
   • If the property size is 5,000 - 14,999 acres, there must at least 5 documented bears, and 1 permit would be issued.
   • If the property size is 15,000 - 24,999 acres, there must at least 10 documented bears, and 2 permits would be issued.
   • If the property size is over 25,000 acres, there must at least 15 documented bears, and 3 permits would be issued.

Potential Survey Methods for Documentation of Bear Presence

An annual population survey to determine the minimum number of bears on the property must be verified by a Certified Wildlife Biologist®. Acceptable methods are described below, but if you have a different method, please contact the FWC to verify if it will be acceptable prior to beginning the survey.

NOTE: If you intend to use an attractant to assist in surveying bears, remember that it is illegal to intentionally feed bears (FAC Chapter 68A-4.001(4)(a)). If you are operating a game feeding station for other game species in areas with a bear hunting season, no processed food products may be used (FAC Chapter 68A-12.002). 

1. Trail Cameras
   • Photos and/or videos of individual bears captured at distinct times and locations such that the possibility of it being the same individual is unlikely based on bear movement rates. For example, if two cameras are set 0.5 mile apart and photos of bears are taken at each camera less than or equal to 5 minutes apart, then it’s likely those are photos of two different bears. A reference pole could be placed within the photo area to assist with estimating height to differentiate the size of bears. Photos and/or videos submitted as part of the report to the FWC must include date and time as well as georeferenced photos of the camera sites.  
   • It is possible that unique physical characteristics are identified in photos or videos of some bears such as size, scarring, existing FWC ear tags, sex, injury or chest blazes that may be used to identify individual bears. Observations must be made within such a period that the unique characteristics could not have reasonably changed. For example, a small male and larger male bear observed more than 6 months apart could be the same bear. In contrast, if two male bears of very different sizes are captured on camera within the same month, they may be considered distinct individuals. Photos and/or videos documenting unique physical characteristics must be included in the report to the FWC with date, time, and location information so that the FWC can confirm the number of distinct individual bears. 
   • An additional option is for a grid of cameras to be installed and set to time lapse where all cameras take a photo and/or video at the time. All bears would then be documented simultaneously at different locations.
2. Aerial surveys
   • Surveys can be conducted during distinct time frames and across specific areas in a manner that reduces the possibility of one individual bear detected in one area being the same as another bear in another area.
   • Drones, fixed wing small aircraft or helicopters equipped with thermal sensors may be used to detect distinct bears.
   • Images and/or video of suspected bears using thermal observation methods must be included in the report to the FWC with date, time, and location information so that the FWC can confirm the number of distinct individual bears.
3. Noninvasive genetic sampling (DNA Analysis) 
   • Distinct individual bears may be identified via DNA analysis of genetic material collected from bear hair or scat.
   • Hair samples can be collected using hair snares. Hair snares may be constructed by wrapping barbed-wire around known bear mark trees or stretched around multiple trees to set up corrals on different parts of the property. Hairs must include the root follicle to be successful in identifying individual bears.
   • Scat samples can be located opportunistically, along transects, or with the aid of scat detection dogs. Note that success rates of identifying individual bears from scat samples are typically lower than hair samples. Proper sample storage can increase success rates.
   • There are numerous peer-reviewed publications that detail scat and hair sample collection, storage and analyses methods.
   • Results of genetic analysis along with the associated date, time, and collection location of each sample must be included in the report to the FWC. 

Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 68A-12.012(6)

(6) Beginning January 1, 2026, the Commission hereby creates a Private Lands Bear Harvest Program (Program) to permit landowners to bear hunt on their properties. A landowner may apply for a Program permit issued by the Executive Director, or designee, to allow for the take of bear on a specified private property from October 1 through December 31.

(a) Program enrollment application must meet the following criteria:

1. The property identified in the Program enrollment application must be at least 5,000 contiguous acres, with no less than 50% of the identified acres being suitable bear habitat. Adjoining properties that form, in aggregate, one contiguous piece of land that together satisfies the acreage requirement and have no less than 50% of the identified acres being suitable bear habitat qualify for Program enrollment.

2. Only the owner of the property, the lessee of the property, or an individual who has written permission from the landowner may submit an application. Applications shall include:

a. A written description of the property boundaries;

b. The total acreage of the property;

c. The name, street or physical address, and telephone number for the applicant and the landowner(s);

d. The signature of the landowner(s) or legal agent of the landowner(s) providing permission to enroll their property in the Program; and

e. Other information pertaining to the proposed activity necessary for permit issuance and enforcement of this subsection.

(b) Permit issuance requirements:

1. An applicant must submit a written Bear Habitat Management Plan (BHMP) developed or approved by a Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB; certified by The Wildlife Society 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20816) or developed through the Commission’s Landowner Assistance Program.

2. An applicant must submit an annual bear population survey demonstrating the number of individual adult bears using the property between August 1 and December 31. The survey must be verified by a Certified Wildlife Biologist and shall not include any bears observed within 300 feet of the property’s boundary described in the application.

3. An applicant must include a minimum of four qualifying conservation activities (active habitat management, wildlife management or conservation-related activities for youth) annually indicating those activities affect at least 10% of the property during the Program enrolled period. Conservation-related activities for youth may only account for one of the four qualifying conservation activities required.

4. Commission personnel shall review the application and approve or deny based on whether it is complete and includes the required proposed conservation activities and population data. If approved, the property will be enrolled in the Program and a permit issued in the name of the applicant. Only one permit will be issued for the property described in the application. As a condition of annual permit renewal, the property must be managed consistent with the BHMP, and the conservation activities must be performed substantially as proposed.

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 68A-4.009, F.A.C., no individual may harvest a bear on property enrolled in the Program except as provided for by permit issued under this paragraph:

(c) Permitted activities:

1. The Commission shall furnish one bear harvest tag for a property 5,000 to 14,999 acres that submit population data demonstrating at least five individual bears using the property, up to two (2) bear harvest tags for a property 15,000 to 24,999 acres that submit population data demonstrating at least 10 individual bears using the property, and a maximum of three bear harvest tags will be issued for a property 25,000 acres or more that submit population data demonstrating at least 15 individual bears using the property.

a. Bear harvest tags issued under this subsection shall remain the property of the Commission until affixed as provided herein.

b. Any unused bear harvest tag shall be returned by the permittee to the Commission no later than 14 days after the expiration date of the Program permit. It shall be a violation of this section for any individual to possess any unused bear harvest tag issued pursuant to this section 14 days after the expiration date of the permit.

For compliance with the Private Lands Bear Harvest Program, at least 4 of the following approved conservation practices shall be conducted annually and affect at least 10% of the permitted land. An implemented practice can only be recorded under one category. For example, prescription burning as part of Gopher Tortoise management DOES NOT count towards rare, threatened, & endangered (RTE) species management AND prescribed burning. Instead, it should be classified as RTE management and prescribed burning should be listed under “activity."

Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN) Events: Youth-oriented educational and outdoor activities hosted by the landowner and sanctioned by the FYCCN can be considered for conservation action. Providing use of the property for events such as a Youth Hunt that is brokered through FWC’s Youth Hunting Program of Florida, organizes guided hunting for youth from the ages of 12 – 17 during applicable hunting seasons.

Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Management: The habitat management to benefit a particular rare, threatened, or endangered species. Some examples include prescribed burning for gopher tortoises or installing nest boxes for red-cockaded woodpeckers or bonneted bats. Predator removal is not included as a conservation action.

Forest/Silvicultural Management: The manipulation of woody plant composition, structure, and/or density to achieve desired timber conditions. Additional resource practice guidance is outlined in the NRCS Conservation Practice Standard, Code 666 (NRCS Code 666). Some examples include roller chopping, timber thinning, and tree planting.

Invasive Species Management: The removal of aquatic or terrestrial invasive plants or animals as identified on the Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) Noxious Weed List
(FISC Noxious Weed List) or the FWC non-native animal species list (Non-Native Fauna). Examples include chemical spot spraying of Brazilian pepper or removal of Burmese pythons.

Wildlife Research/Surveys: A written agreement between the landowner and FWC or its partners to allow data collection on fish, wildlife, and habitat. Research may also include the evaluation of land use or management effects on fish, wildlife, or habitat.

Wetland Restoration/Enhancement: The active manipulation of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetland ecosystems to enhance ecological function. Additional wetland restoration/enhancement guidance is outlined in the NRCS Conservation Practice Standard, Code 644 (NRCS Code 644). Examples include manipulating water levels, reducing degradation and erosion, and restoring natural hydroperiods.

Prescribed Burning: The controlled application of fire under specified environmental conditions to accomplish desired land management objectives such as fuel load reduction or to promote herbaceous growth. Additional prescribed burning guidance is outlined in the NRCS Conservation Practice Standard, Code 338 (NRCS Code 338).

Other Resource Management Practices: Additional management practices not listed above (e.g., CWD sample collection) can be considered as a conservation action to meet annual resource management requirements. To be considered, pre-approval of the activity must be requested via email when submitting the annual application to FWC Bear Management Program staff and include intended goals, anticipated implementation dates, and total impacted acreage.

Applications for the 2026 season have closed. To apply for the Private Lands Bear Harvest Program, please complete the application in its entirety. Once completed, please attach all supporting documentation and submit it electronically by close of business on May 31 of the year of the hunt, to BearManagement@MyFWC.com. Your application will be processed in the order in which it was received, therefore, please allow 30 days from the time we receive your complete application to receive a response from the FWC.

Please contact BearManagement@MyFWC.com with any questions about the Program.