Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners (FWC) have voted 4-3 against holding a black bear hunt this year.
The season, which would have paralleled the successful 2015 bear hunt, was intended to help control Florida’s booming black bear population. Florida currently has a resident black bear population of more than 4,000 animals thanks to conservation initiatives launched by sportsmen and wildlife officials in the 1970s, after bear counts fell below 500.
Florida wildlife officials reinstated the black bear hunt last fall after a 21-year hiatus as a method to manage the growing bear population while providing carefully regulated hunting opportunities to Florida sportsmen. Anti-hunters fought the season with vigor, but sound science trumped their emotional arguments.
This year, anti-hunters held 28 protests across the state prior to the commission’s vote. Their efforts stirred up legislators, and ultimately convinced commissioners to reject fish and wildlife officials’ recommendation for another limited bear hunt. The Commission committed to do additional populations evaluations prior to 2017.
“It’s disappointing that the recommendations of the staff and biologists were not enough, even when it’s clear that human-wildlife conflicts are due to increasing populations of the apex predator,” said Brian Lynn, Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of marketing and communications. “Regardless, we will continue to advocate for sound scientific management of black bears in Florida and look forward to working with the state and commission on a future hunt.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, FWC will continue to work with local communities and educate the public on the important role hunting plays in Florida’s comprehensive bear management program. Sportsmen are encouraged to play a more active role in advocating for a 2017 bear hunt, which would help FWC manage Florida’s growing bear population.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
