Help Protect Florida’s Black Bears
On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will once again discuss another bear hunt. The outcomes of last year’s bear hunt included the number of bears killed exceeding allowances in two of the four hunted subpopulations, as well as numerous hunting infractions from baiting, to taking underweight bears and lactating mothers.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, while not against sustainable hunting, is opposed to hunting Florida black bears due to a number of concerns including the lack of scientific information on whether the current populations can sustain these losses and remain viable, as well as whether this is effective in reducing bear-human conflict — the real issue at hand.
Florida’s black bear population is already experiencing large losses due to high numbers of roadkills and bears being euthanized rather than relocated due to adverse bear-human interaction — often related to unsecured garbage.
The best course of action the FWC can take at this time is a moratorium on further hunting.
Instead of authorizing another hunt, the FWC should:
- Do studies of habitat and food availability for each of the Florida black bear populations to determine if bears are exceeding the resources to support them or not. If not, there is no reason to hunt for population management.
- Do studies on the effects of last year’s hunt on each of the different population areas in combination with the other pressures affecting mortality, to determine whether additional hunting pressure can be sustained without jeopardizing those populations.
- Invest more staff and monetary resources into education and assistance to communities having continual adverse bear-human interactions, so proper conflict avoidance measures are put in place such as securing trash in bear-proof containers and putting out morning of pick up.
STORY FROM NBC2 NEWS
TAKE ACTION!
While the location selected for this meeting is one of the furthest and most remote locations in Florida, the Conservancy will be in attendance. We encourage you to attend in-person as well if you can as a strong showing at the meeting will be important.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday June 22nd starting at 8:30 a.m. at Franklin County School Gymnasium (1250 Highway 98, Eastpoint, Florida). Information about the meeting can be found by clicking here.
Please note that public comments are usually restricted to three minutes.
If you cannot attend in person, please consider taking a moment to use our e-action alert to send comments directly to the FWC Commissioners.
We know from previous Commissioner statements that hearing from the public has influenced their thoughts on this matter; therefore, your e-mails and communications are important! Thank you for taking the time to communicate your opposition to this proposed hunt.
