The Shocking Truth: 5 Critical Facts About Black Bears In Florida You Need To Know In 2025

The answer is an emphatic yes. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Florida black bear (*Ursus americanus floridanus*) is not only present but represents one of the state’s most successful conservation stories, with a thriving population estimated to be well over 4,000 individuals. This recovery from near-extinction in the 1970s has dramatically increased the chances of residents and visitors encountering these large, intelligent animals, making current knowledge about their distribution and management absolutely essential.

The success of the Florida black bear population, managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), has created a new challenge: managing the growing number of human-bear interactions. From bears lounging in hot tubs in suburban neighborhoods to a nearly 700% increase in bear-related calls over the last decade, coexistence strategies and updated management policies, including a newly approved hunt for 2025, are now at the forefront of the state’s wildlife agenda.

Fact 1: The Florida Black Bear is a Conservation Success Story with a Thriving Population

The journey of the Florida black bear from the brink of collapse to its current status is a remarkable tale of conservation. In the 1970s, due to extensive habitat loss and unregulated hunting, the population had dwindled to only a few hundred bears, primarily confined to isolated wilderness areas. Today, the situation is vastly different.

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The subspecies, known scientifically as *Ursus americanus floridanus*, is the only bear species found in Florida and is the state's largest native land mammal.

A Population Boom and a 'Recovered' Status

Thanks to decades of science-based management and habitat protection efforts, the FWC officially classified the Florida black bear population as "Recovered" in 2012.

Current estimates place the population at over 4,000 bears statewide, a number that is greater than at any time in the last 100 years.

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This success, however, is a double-edged sword. As the bear population expands, and human development continues to encroach on their natural habitat—which includes flatwoods, swamps, scrub oak ridges, and hammocks—the chances of human-bear interactions rise significantly.

Fact 2: Distribution is Widespread, with Specific Bear Management Hotspots

While bears can technically be found almost anywhere in the state, their distribution is concentrated in seven distinct geographical regions, which the FWC refers to as Bear Management Units (BMUs). These units are the focus of all population monitoring and management efforts.

The state's bear population is not uniform. Some areas have much higher densities of bears and, consequently, more frequent human-bear conflicts.

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Key Bear Management Units (BMUs)

• East Panhandle: A major zone located east of the Apalachicola River.
• West Panhandle: The area west of the Apalachicola River.
• North: Covering the northern central part of the state.
• Big Bend: Along the Gulf Coast in the northern region.
• Ocala/Wekiva: This area, encompassing the Ocala National Forest and the Wekiva River basin, is one of the most notorious hotspots for human-bear interactions due to dense bear populations and adjacent suburban expansion.
• Central: The central Florida region.
• South (Big Cypress Subpopulation): This unit covers counties like Collier, Lee, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach, and is home to the Big Cypress subpopulation.

Recent news reports in 2024 highlight the increasing visibility of bears in residential areas, with a notable incident in June involving a bear spotted lounging in a hot tub in Punta Gorda Isles.

Fact 3: The 2025 Regulated Bear Hunt Marks a Major Policy Shift

In a significant and often controversial move, the FWC has approved a regulated black bear hunt, scheduled to take place in December 2025. This will be the first statewide bear hunt since a highly debated one-week season in 2015.

The decision to reintroduce hunting as a management tool is directly tied to the rising number of conflicts. The FWC views the hunt as a necessary measure to stabilize the population in specific zones and reduce the growing number of nuisance complaints, which have increased by nearly 700% over the past decade.

Key Details of the 2025 Hunt

• Purpose: To manage population growth and reduce conflicts in areas with high human-bear interaction rates.
• Target Quota: Permits will be issued to kill a total of 172 bears during the 2025 season.
• Regulations: The hunt will have stricter regulations than the 2015 season, including a limit of one bear per hunter.

This policy has generated considerable pushback from conservation activists who argue that non-lethal methods, such as widespread adoption of bear-resistant garbage cans and public education, are more effective and humane ways to manage the conflict.

Fact 4: The Core Conflict is Human-Driven, Not Bear-Driven

The vast majority of conflicts between humans and Florida black bears are preventable and stem from bears seeking out easily accessible human food sources. Bears are highly opportunistic foragers, and a trash can, pet food left outside, or a poorly secured grill is an irresistible attractant. This is why the FWC emphasizes "bear-proofing" your property.

The increase in conflicts is a direct result of suburban sprawl into former wilderness areas, forcing the bears to adapt to a landscape where human food is abundant and easy to find.

Essential Bear-Proofing Tips for Florida Residents

To ensure coexistence and safety, the FWC strongly recommends the following measures, especially in Bear Management Units:

• Secure All Garbage: This is the single most important step. Use certified bear-resistant garbage cans, or store all trash in a secure garage or shed until the morning of pickup.
• Remove Food Attractants: Never leave pet food, bird seed, or livestock feed outside overnight.
• Clean Outdoor Grills: Thoroughly clean grills after every use, burning off all residue and storing them in a secure location.
• Protect Gardens and Beehives: Use electric fencing to protect vegetable gardens, apiaries, and small livestock.
• Never Feed Bears: Intentionally feeding a bear is illegal and is the fastest way to habituate a bear, leading to its eventual removal or euthanasia.

Fact 5: Knowing How to React During an Encounter is Crucial for Safety

Encountering a black bear in Florida is becoming increasingly common. While bears are generally shy and will avoid humans, knowing how to react is vital for both your safety and the bear's well-being. The FWC stresses that a bear will typically move away on its own if given space.

What to Do If You See a Black Bear

1. Give It Space: Do not approach the bear, especially if it is a female with cubs. Never attempt to feed it or get a closer look.
2. Make Noise: If the bear is close, try to frighten it away by yelling, banging pots and pans, or using a car horn.
3. Back Away Slowly: If you are near the bear, slowly back away to a secure location (like your home or car). Do not run.
4. Report Conflicts: If a bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets, or livestock, or is causing significant property damage, immediately contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

The presence of the Florida black bear is a testament to successful wildlife management, but it also places a permanent responsibility on Floridians. Understanding the current population dynamics, the reasons behind the 2025 management strategies, and, most importantly, how to secure your home are the critical steps to ensuring a safe future for both people and the magnificent *Ursus americanus floridanus*.