Skip to main content
Menu

Bear Depredation

Bear Depredation Permit

Bear Depredation Permits authorize the lethal take of black bears that are causing property damage where less-lethal means to control the damage are either ineffective or not feasible and FWC is unable to capture and remove the bear. 

NOTE: These permits are only issued to landowners or authorized lessees of property with landowner permission.  The permittee should understand that this permit is intended to provide temporary relief from property damage. It is incumbent upon the landowner or lessee to seek more long-term means of eliminating property damage in the future. This could be accomplished through construction of electric fencing in certain cases, use of guard animals, or by allowing hunting on the lands where property damage is occurring during an established bear hunting season.

 

First time applicants must contact the Wildlife Assistance Biologist at their local FWC Regional Office prior to applying for this permit.

 

What this permit allows:

  1. Authorizes the killing of a bear that is causing property damage, typically crops or livestock.
  2. Permittees may take a bear only with either rifles using centerfire ammunition or shotguns using slugs or buckshot
  3. Taking of a bear either during daylight hours or with the aid of a light at night.

 

What this permit does NOT allow:

  1. The discharge of firearms in areas not allowed by state law or court injunctions/orders.
  2. The possession of firearms by individuals not allowed by state law or court injunctions/orders.
  3. Issuance in situations that could present a risk to public safety due to conditions on or adjacent to the applicant’s property.  
  4. A fee to be charged to anyone to participate in the permitted activities.
  5. The possession or sale of a bear or parts of a bear taken under this permit.
  6. The taking of a bear:
    • for damaging any feeding devices used to attract wildlife or in fields with agricultural plantings intended to attract wildlife or on any land upon which corn, wheat, grain or any food substance has been deposited by other than normal agriculture harvesting or planting. 
    • that is known to be an adult female black bear with dependent cubs.
    • not on the property listed on the permit.
    • away from the immediate area where the property damage is taking place, or
    • outside of the specified dates on permit. 

 

Information you must have available to apply for this permit:

  1. Name, date of birth, address and contact telephone number of the permit holder and landowner.
  2. Property or tract name, and county.
  3. Location description using the Public Land Survey System (Section-Township-Range).
  4. Description of crop, livestock, or other property that is damaged.
  5. Detailed description of the damage that is occurring.
  6. E-mail address:  To receive notification of application status, the applicant will need to supply an e-mail address. If an e-mail address is not provided, the applicant may receive a phone call or letter by mail to notify approval or denial of the permit.
  7. A printer and latest version of Adobe Reader

 

How to apply for this permit:

  1. Email BearManagement@MyFWC.com to receive a PDF of the Bear Depredation Permit Application.
  2. Download the Bear Depredation Permit and either fill it out on a computer or print the application and write in the answers.  
  3. Complete each page providing the necessary information.  
  4. Submit your application by mail to your local FWC regional office or by email to BearManagement@MyFWC.com
  5. Once the application has been received, your local FWC Area Bear Biologist will review it for consideration. 
  6. If an email was supplied, you will receive a notification regarding your permit application status as is applicable.
  7. If the Area Bear Biologist requires additional information, you will receive an email, phone call, or letter by mail detailing the information required.
  8. If an email was not supplied in your profile, the applicant may receive a phone call or letter by mail to notify approval or denial of the permit.  
  9. No bear may be taken without receiving prior authorization by your local FWC Area Bear Biologist. 
  10. Once approved, you will receive your bear depredation permit authorization either by email or mail. 
  11. Print, read and sign the permit document.
  12. Have a copy of the signed permit with the permittee or their designee(s) when executing this permit.