General discussion & info about South Walton, Florida.

All About SoWal

Advertise or find a business, discuss business.

Business & Services

Jobs

Festivals, classes, gatherings, activities.

Events & Music

Food & Dining

Marketplace

property, realtors, builders, development, infrastructure ...

Real Estate

Long Term Rentals

Vacation Rentals

SoWal Lounge

barefootguy

Beach Fanatic

That wouldn't be near Butler, but near Bay Elementary.

That wouldn&#039;t be near Butler, but near Bay Elementary.

DuneLaker

Lots of people probably out enjoying the day in that beautiful area around Eden State Gardens and Pt. Washington Methodist Church, which are between Bay Elementary and Albert Butler's place on the bay.  Hope the people and bear are careful today.

Lots of people probably out enjoying the day in that beautiful area around Eden State Gardens and Pt. Washington Methodist Church, which are between Bay Elementary and Albert Butler&#039;s place on the bay.  Hope the people and bear are careful today.

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert

eddiej

Beach Comber

[b]sorry, yes, bay elementary[/b]

confused details on bear location...thanks for the correction! ej

sorry, yes, bay elementary 
 
confused details on bear location...thanks for the correction! ej

mikecat adjuster

Now getting that on camera would be nice.  A friend of mine had a black bear cross a golf course he was on some around here a few years ago.  Great news about this one. Good to hear.

Groovegirls

Good thing its not garbage night. The bear would have a feast!

ShallowsNole

No kidding about the garbage. Neat to know bears are still around! 
 
I did hit something bigger than a dog a couple of months ago on E Point Washington just east of Groovegirls' place - it was dark, whatever I hit was dark and just kind of "ambled" out into the road. But, it evidently got up and kept going. No damage; in fact, nobody believed I had hit anything (like I would make something like that up) until our lab decided to sniff around the front right tire and started barking/yelping. Fuzz and I figured out it must have been a wild hog, and a couple of days later we saw a couple of wild hogs dead on Bay Drive. Case closed.
 
But now I wonder...:blink: and I think I'll instruct everybody to walk the dog on the main road now, instead of down the powerline toward Eden.

No kidding about the garbage. Neat to know bears are still around! 
 
I did hit something bigger than a dog a couple of months ago on E Point Washington just east of Groovegirls&#039; place - it was dark, whatever I hit was dark and just kind of &quot;ambled&quot; out into the road. But, it evidently got up and kept going. No damage; in fact, nobody believed I had hit anything (like I would make something like that up) until our lab decided to sniff around the front right tire and started barking/yelping. Fuzz and I figured out it must have been a wild hog, and a couple of days later we saw a couple of wild hogs dead on Bay Drive. Case closed. 
 
But now I wonder...:blink: and I think I&#039;ll instruct everybody to walk the dog on the main road now, instead of down the powerline toward Eden.

Kurt

Admin

Black Bears are very shy. Only very hungry ones come near people and it is usually because of garbage being left out (dumpsters). These woods used to be full of them but they are still hunted here though there are hardly any left. They will sometimes migrate large distances, even crossing open waters during mating season.

Foodlover

[quote="kurt, post: 559137"]Black Bears are very shy. Only very hungry ones come near people and it is usually because of garbage being left out (dumpsters). These woods used to be full of them but they are still hunted here though there are hardly any left. They will sometimes migrate large distances, even crossing open waters during mating season.[/quote]
 
 
 
That is sad.  Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="kurt">Black Bears are very shy. Only very hungry ones come near people and it is usually because of garbage being left out (dumpsters). These woods used to be full of them but they are still hunted here though there are hardly any left. They will sometimes migrate large distances, even crossing open waters during mating season.</blockquote> 
 
 
That is sad. Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:

jodiFL

[quote="Foodlover, post: 559170"]That is sad.  Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:[/quote]
Been illegal since 1994, but they were thinking about resuming some kind of season according to [URL="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/18/state-report-suggests-hunting-florida-black-bears-/"]this report[/URL].
[COLOR=Red]EDIT: 
[/COLOR][URL]http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Bear_rules_regs.htm[/URL]

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Foodlover">That is sad. Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:</blockquote>Been illegal since 1994, but they were thinking about resuming some kind of season according to <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/18/state-report-suggests-hunting-florida-black-bears-/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">this report</a>. 
EDIT: 
<a href="http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Bear_rules_regs.htm" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Bear_rules_regs.htm</a>

[quote="Foodlover, post: 559170"]That is sad.  Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:[/quote]

Legal but restricted. They are listed as a threatened species in Florida and cannot be killed without a permit. Apparently there is not enough room for humans and bears to coexist.

[url=http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Bear_index.htm]FWC - Florida Black Bears[/url]


[url=http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Black_Bear/The_Bear_Facts__25_Things_Every_Black_Bear_Hunter_Should_Know_02080503.html]The Bear Facts - 25 Things Every Black Bear Hunter Should Know[/url]

[quote]Fact #22 - Baiting is far from easy, and holds no guarantees! From time to time you get  lucky and have one move in cautiously to inspect the provisions, but this is frequently more  the exception than the rule. Perhaps the biggest advantage I see in baiting is that, if and  when a bear finally does come to the bait, it can allow the hunter time to assess size and  stature. This is advantageous for the trophy hunter, allowing the option to pass up smaller bears,  thus diminishing the odds of falling victim to ground shrink.  [/quote]

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Foodlover">That is sad. Is it legal to hunt Black Bears here?:idontno:</blockquote> 
Legal but restricted. They are listed as a threatened species in Florida and cannot be killed without a permit. Apparently there is not enough room for humans and bears to coexist. 
 
<a href="http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Bear_index.htm" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">FWC - Florida Black Bears</a> 
 
 
<a href="http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Black_Bear/The_Bear_Facts__25_Things_Every_Black_Bear_Hunter_Should_Know_02080503.html" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">The Bear Facts - 25 Things Every Black Bear Hunter Should Know</a> 
 
<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="">Fact #22 - Baiting is far from easy, and holds no guarantees! From time to time you get lucky and have one move in cautiously to inspect the provisions, but this is frequently more the exception than the rule. Perhaps the biggest advantage I see in baiting is that, if and when a bear finally does come to the bait, it can allow the hunter time to assess size and stature. This is advantageous for the trophy hunter, allowing the option to pass up smaller bears, thus diminishing the odds of falling victim to ground shrink.</blockquote>

Humans don't seem to coexist well with any animals. If that bear decides to hang around someone will get him. We had a beaver move into Driftwood Estates last year. I thought that was odd, but was excited about it. It took down a few trees, built  nice home, and did it's best to remain unnoticed, but I'm starting to think that someone may have noticed (and removed him).

I was curious to see if a beaver family would be a help or a hindrance to Driftwood's drainage issue. I'm still out there looking for him, hoping to find him alive!

Humans don&#039;t seem to coexist well with any animals. If that bear decides to hang around someone will get him. We had a beaver move into Driftwood Estates last year. I thought that was odd, but was excited about it. It took down a few trees, built nice home, and did it&#039;s best to remain unnoticed, but I&#039;m starting to think that someone may have noticed (and removed him). 
 
I was curious to see if a beaver family would be a help or a hindrance to Driftwood&#039;s drainage issue. I&#039;m still out there looking for him, hoping to find him alive!

beachmouse

We had bear+dumpster problems at work a while back, and the same bears were also getting into people's trash in a couple neighborhoods over by Turkey Creek. They ended up having to kill one of them because he actually went into someone's house (which meets the criteria for overly agressive bears) and the rest were trapped and relocated to the Bad Bear Reformatory area of Tate's Hell Swamp over in the Big Bend. 

They're actually pretty common on Eglin reservation these days. A couple years back, I saw one that was sadly roadkill on 20 in Choctaw Beach.

We had bear+dumpster problems at work a while back, and the same bears were also getting into people&#039;s trash in a couple neighborhoods over by Turkey Creek. They ended up having to kill one of them because he actually went into someone&#039;s house (which meets the criteria for overly agressive bears) and the rest were trapped and relocated to the Bad Bear Reformatory area of Tate&#039;s Hell Swamp over in the Big Bend. 
 
They&#039;re actually pretty common on Eglin reservation these days. A couple years back, I saw one that was sadly roadkill on 20 in Choctaw Beach.

dmarie

Beach Lover

THAT TOTALLY EXPLAINS the very odd noise I heard last night.  I live in Eden Estates - several minutes walk to the school.  With all the windows open, I very clearly heard a noise that I have never heard in the 30 years I've lived here.  The dog, outside, was going nuts!!!!  I have to deal with my fair share of wildlife out here, squirrels, rats, possums, raccoons, and the dog has a certain response to them.  Last night was something completely different.  Her bark told me it wasn't just our garden-variety visitor.  The sound made me mute the TV and just listen for awhile to figure out what it was.  
 
Thanks for informing us!  Watch your kiddies!

THAT TOTALLY EXPLAINS the very odd noise I heard last night. I live in Eden Estates - several minutes walk to the school. With all the windows open, I very clearly heard a noise that I have never heard in the 30 years I&#039;ve lived here. The dog, outside, was going nuts!!!! I have to deal with my fair share of wildlife out here, squirrels, rats, possums, raccoons, and the dog has a certain response to them. Last night was something completely different. Her bark told me it wasn&#039;t just our garden-variety visitor. The sound made me mute the TV and just listen for awhile to figure out what it was. 
 
Thanks for informing us! Watch your kiddies!

Bears are not a danger or problem (sans cubs) until people start feeding them and leaving out trash/food.

If you are worried about a bear near your home, remove the things that attract them - bird feeders, trash, etc. 

If you DO have a problem, there are many non-lethal ways to discourage them.

Bears are not a danger or problem (sans cubs) until people start feeding them and leaving out trash/food. 
 
If you are worried about a bear near your home, remove the things that attract them - bird feeders, trash, etc. 
 
If you DO have a problem, there are many non-lethal ways to discourage them.

Smiling JOe

seagrovegirl

This is my neighborhood and I live next to the school off of 395N.  My dogs have been going nuts lately...just ask my po'd neighbor.  My garbage is getting scattered nightly. 
I think I'll go look for bear tracks!

This is my neighborhood and I live next to the school off of 395N. My dogs have been going nuts lately...just ask my po&#039;d neighbor. My garbage is getting scattered nightly. 
I think I&#039;ll go look for bear tracks!

Teresa Cline

[quote="Smiling JOe, post: 559269"]black bears don't like dogs.[/quote]

If I was out very early morning with my dogs on the park trails just on the other side of E Point Washington and my dogs smelled one and ran after it...what would be the best thing to do?...I let my dogs off leash back there..now I am a little bit freaked!:confused:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Smiling JOe">black bears don&#039;t like dogs.</blockquote> 
If I was out very early morning with my dogs on the park trails just on the other side of E Point Washington and my dogs smelled one and ran after it...what would be the best thing to do?...I let my dogs off leash back there..now I am a little bit freaked!:confused:

passin thru

[quote="kurt, post: 559137"]Black Bears are very shy. Only very hungry ones come near people and it is usually because of garbage being left out (dumpsters). These woods used to be full of them but they are still hunted here though there are hardly any left. They will sometimes migrate large distances, even crossing open waters during mating season.[/quote]
 
Kurt, thanks for the insight ... I, too, will cross open waters during mating season.
 
Honestly, I'm very pleased to still have some of our large carnivores (omnivore in this case) this close by. They're good indicators for the health of an ecosystem.
 
As many above have wisely noted -- people, keep your garbage securely contained so that the bears can live peacefully in these woods & not be unfairly tempted by your Haagen Daz containers, OK?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="kurt">Black Bears are very shy. Only very hungry ones come near people and it is usually because of garbage being left out (dumpsters). These woods used to be full of them but they are still hunted here though there are hardly any left. They will sometimes migrate large distances, even crossing open waters during mating season.</blockquote> 
Kurt, thanks for the insight ... I, too, will cross open waters during mating season. 
 
Honestly, I&#039;m very pleased to still have some of our large carnivores (omnivore in this case) this close by. They&#039;re good indicators for the health of an ecosystem. 
 
As many above have wisely noted -- people, keep your garbage securely contained so that the bears can live peacefully in these woods &amp; not be unfairly tempted by your Haagen Daz containers, OK?

First hand report of black bear seen crossing Hwy 395 N by Butler Elementary. Large! Keep us posted and be careful if you are in the area. Eddie J

Black Bear spotted in Pt Washington!

Grayton BeachCam

Dune Allen BeachCam

Seagrove Beach SkyCam

Inlet BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Santa Rosa BeachCam

Walton County Fair

Sounds of Seaside

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

No beachcams yet

More cams

Include enough context for a reply on the first pass: who you are, what this is about, and anything time-sensitive we should know.

Write a clear note and we will route it fast

SoWal Contact Form

What helps the SoWal team reply on the first pass

Use these links when your request already has a clear destination.

Prefer a direct route before you write?

Use this when you are not sure where your request belongs and need the SoWal team to route it.

Questions, corrections, and quick help

Share newsworthy updates, corrections, community tips, or photography that can improve SoWal coverage.

Story tips, local leads, and photos

Reach the team for business visibility, partnership planning, or other commercial opportunities.

Listings, sponsorships, and business requests

Use this path for media coordination, press follow-ups, or requests that need a communications contact.

Press outreach and interview requests

Tell us what you need and how to reach you.

Send your note here and the SoWal team will route it appropriately.

Choose the quickest route for your message

Forum account areas

Log in to view member profile, alerts, messages, watched content, bookmarks, preferences, and staff tools.

Member-only forum areas use your SoWal forum account.

Use your forum username or email to post, reply, follow threads, and manage your account.

Log in to the forum

Log in to the SoWal forum

Find people and visit their public forum profiles.

Members

Enter the six-digit code sent to {email}.

Check your email

Join the conversation

Welcome to SoWal

Sign in to SoWal

Signature preview

Ads support our local stories, BeachCams, and community guides. If you use an ad blocker, allow SoWal, then check again.

Help keep SoWal local

Your feedback helps us make SoWal better.

How was this story?

Get local stories, events, and South Walton highlights in your inbox.

Stay close to the coast

Choose whether SoWal may use optional cookies. Necessary cookies keep the site working.

Your privacy, your choice

Site navigation

Submenu

Bite-sized stories, curated itineraries, and community events delivered to your inbox on the regular.

Black Bear spotted in Pt Washington!

Latest conversations

Write a reply

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026