© 2026 WGCU News
News for all of Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Seminole County Explores Ordinance Banning Bear Hunting

Michelle Buntin

Seminole County wants to ban bear hunting. Leaders are considering the plausibility of an ordinance that would prohibit bear hunting in Seminole County should Florida hold another statewide hunt.

Central Florida is home to the state's largest bear population. State wildlife authorities have described Seminole County as the "epicenter of human-bear conflict."

Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine says if the county attorney determines such an ordinance is plausible it has enough support for approval."There are better methods to control the bear-human negative conflicts, and we want the FWC to do that before there is any consideration of another bear hunt", Constantine said.

Constantine says the county otherwise would draft a resolution protesting another hunt.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has no immediate plans for another bear hunt. The one in October was the state's first in more than 20 years. It wrapped up in two days nearly reaching its limit of 320 bears.

Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU