As black bears continue to flourish across Florida, state wildlife officials are revisiting the possibility of an upcoming regulated bear hunt. ⁠ ⁠ The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the options for the proposed hunt at a virtual public meeting on March 13. The state’s bear population has rebounded from just a few hundred bears in the 1970s to more than 4,000 as of 2023 — with the potential to reach more than 11,000 animals by 2026. Black bear season has been closed in Florida since 1994, with the exception of a conservative hunt in fall 2015.⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in profile for the full story 🔗⁠ ⁠ #blackbear #blackbears #bear #bears #florida #hunting #huntingseason #outdoors #nature #outdoorlife #bearhunting⁠ 📷: Tim Donovan / myfwc⁠ Story by: krebfish