Stop The Bear Hunt

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The History of the Bear Hunt

*Warning* Graphic Images

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In 2015, Florida faced a critical moment in wildlife conservation when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved the state’s first black bear hunt in over two decades. This controversial decision led to the killing of 304 bears in just two days, sparking public outcry and mobilizing activists across the state. Among those at the forefront of the fight was Bear Warriors United, determined to ensure that Florida’s black bears would never face such a threat again.

The Truth About Florida’s Black Bears

Florida’s black bears are a keystone species, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They disperse seeds, support plant biodiversity, and regulate their own populations naturally. The notion that bears are overpopulated is a myth—their numbers remain far below historical levels, and human expansion into their habitats is the real cause of increased bear sightings.

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Black bears are naturally shy and avoid humans. FWC’s own data shows that bear-human conflicts drop by 95% when attractants like unsecured trash are removed.
✅ Bears reproduce slowly. Females give birth every 2-3 years, and reproduction depends on food availability. Hunting disrupts natural population control.
✅ Since recorded history, NO person has ever been killed by a Florida black bear. You are far more likely to be harmed by a dog, bee sting, or even another human than a black bear.
✅ Bear-resistant trash cans and secure food storage are the proven solutions to bear-human interactions—not killing bears in the woods who aren’t causing problems.

The Dangerous Consequences of a 2025 Bear Hunt

A hunt in 2025 would mean the unjustified slaughter of Florida’s bears, just like in 2015, when:

• 304 bears were killed in just two days, forcing FWC to shut the hunt down early.
• 59% of the bears killed were females, including lactating mothers, leaving orphaned cubs to starve.
• Many bears were lured to feeding stations and baited, violating ethical hunting principles.

Adding to the threat, in 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 87 – “Taking of Bears”, allowing people to kill bears under a broad “self-defense” claim with zero oversight. This dangerous law encourages the illegal killing of bears, making an official hunt even more reckless and unnecessary.

How You Can Help

We stopped the bear hunt in 2016, and we can stop it again. Here’s what you can do:

✊ Speak up! Attend FWC’s public meetings, submit comments, and tell decision-makers that Floridians do not want a bear hunt.
📢 Spread awareness. Share the facts about Florida’s black bears and expose the misinformation used to justify hunting.
🐻 Support non-lethal solutions. Advocate for bear-resistant trash cans and habitat conservation as real, long-term solutions.
💰 Donate to conservation efforts. Organizations like Bear Warriors United are fighting tirelessly to protect our bears—but we need your help.

Florida’s Wildlife Belongs to Everyone

The Public Trust Doctrine states that wildlife must be managed for the benefit of all citizens, not just a select few hunters. The FWC’s role is conservation, not catering to trophy hunters who see our bears as targets rather than living beings vital to Florida’s ecosystem.

Bears should not be killed for sport, for trophies, or because some people refuse to take simple steps to secure their trash. We must act now to ensure Florida’s black bears remain protected for generations to come.