ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida wildlife officials are holding more online meetings this week about the possibility of a return to bear hunting in the state.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking input from anyone who wants to provide feedback on a potential bear hunt.
Bear hunting has long been a controversial issue in Florida, but calls have increased for wildlife officials to approve the first hunt in a decade.
Supporters say, in part, a hunt could help better manage bear populations as the animals interact with humans and point to a voter-approved ballot measure in November that enshrined hunting and fishing rights in the state Constitution.
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Opponents have argued that hunting doesn’t reduce human-bear interactions and say the state should use non-lethal options to address bear populations. They say unsecured trash continues to be a lure for bears on residential and commercial properties.
According to FWC, there are roughly 4,050 black bears in Florida and sightings are up 42% since 2016.
People who live in neighborhoods near Markham Woods Road had mixed reactions to a possible hunt.
Sandy Sherman has lived in Seminole County for 16 years and said she planned to attend one of the meetings.
“I am a big wildlife advocate. I feel like the animals were here before us,” Sherman said. “I’ve seen (bears) one time come up through my yard, like literally right around my fence.”
Sarah Mays said she thinks an increase in development has led to more bear encounters and allowing the animals to be hunted may be the best option for population control.
“They definitely roam our neighborhood looking for anything they can get,” Mays said. “(A bear hunt) doesn’t bother me. I think if the numbers are that high, why not?”
This next virtual meeting on bear hunting proposals is at 5 p.m. Thursday, followed by another gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday.
To join the virtual meetings, visit myfwc.com/hunting/bear/.
