Florida expands bear hunt permits this year, adds private land
The FWC will offer up to 215 permits, of which 193 people can bid on at $5 an entry starting Sept. 11.
Watch CBS News
The FWC will offer up to 215 permits, of which 193 people can bid on at $5 an entry starting Sept. 11.
Rodney Edward Smith was in prison on false imprisonment and other charges when he allegedly ran the scheme, according to the FWC.
More data is being released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after the state's first permitted bear hunt in a decade was held.
For the first time in a decade, hunters are fanning out across Florida to legally hunt the Florida black bear.
A judge rejected a request to halt the state's first bear hunt in a decade after a group was unable to show "substantial likelihood of success on the merits" in its lawsuit challenging the hunt.
Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida, with the last hunt held in 2015. The FWC on Aug. 13 approved this year's hunt, which is scheduled from Dec. 6 to Dec. 28.
Arguing that Florida's decision to hold a bear hunt in December is not based on "sound" science and research, a conservation group this week asked a judge for an emergency temporary injunction to halt the hunt.
A 17-year-old hunter died in rural Iowa after he "was mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party," state officials said.
Florida's first bear hunt in a decade drew more than 160,000 applicants for just 172 permits.
Florida's newly approved bear hunt getting some pushback tonight, and conservationists are getting creative to try and save the beloved black bears.
State officials approved the hunt in August despite strong opposition.
The first black bear hunt in Florida in a decade will take place in December under a rule adopted Wednesday by state wildlife officials.
The victim had injuries on his stomach and torso, and a buffalo that had been shot and killed was lying nearby, police said.
Bear hunting has long been a controversial issue in Florida, with opponents saying that killing bears for sport won't reduce human-bear interactions. But calls to hold a hunt have been growing.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given preliminary approval for a black bear hunt for December and into the future.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given preliminary approval for a black bear hunt for December and into the future.
FWC Executive Director Roger Young said that the first meeting, open to anyone "who wants to provide feedback" on a potential bear hunt, will be held on March 13.
According to officials, a witness saw a man discard the carcass of the alligator and leave the area with its tail.
On Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed officials to bring forward proposals for a possible bear hunt.
Legislative supporters said other states had passed similar rights.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz trekked through tall grass for hours, but didn't get one shot off all day.
The competition kicked off Friday between hunters to capture the most and longest Burmese pythons.
Hunters can also apply for a permit for the annual Statewide Alligator Harvest Program
A Texas sheriff says three hog hunters visiting from Florida died while apparently trying to rescue their dog after it fell into a hole filled with sewer gas in the middle of a cornfield.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials confirmed Thursday that the state won't hold a bear hunt this year.
