UPDATE: We are saddened to report that Florida has just passed its proposal to reopen black bear hunting with a shocking unanimous vote by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife “Conservation” Commission. The state will allow for the hunting of 187 black bears using hounds, archery, and bait stations. There are only an estimated 4,000 black bears remaining in Florida. ___________________________________________
Back bears are currently facing threats from new trophy hunting proposals in both California and Florida, despite strong public opposition. In California, there’s a consideration to double the number of bears that can be hunted by an individual. In Florida, the proposal seeks to reopen bear hunting for the first time since 2015, when the brief season led to more than 300 bears killed.
In California, a proposal is under review to double the number of bears permitted for individual hunters. This change arises amidst serious challenges for black bears, including loss of habitat and high rates of vehicle collisions. Without accurate population data, increasing hunting limits could lead to the disruption of bear families, put cubs at greater risk, and inflict long-lasting harm to their population. These issues highlight critical ecological and conservation concerns.
Florida’s commission is set to reopen a bear hunting season for the first time since 2015, when over 300 bears were killed in just two days, sparking international outrage. The current proposal would permit the hunting of 187 bears using archery and bait stations. Next year, hunters could employ packs of trailing hounds that roam freely, which might harm non-target wildlife and lead to trespassing on private and protected lands, heightening animal welfare concerns. Additionally, baiting may lure unintended species, spread disease, disrupt ecosystems, and increase vehicle collisions.
Numerous studies indicate that hunting is not an effective method for reducing conflicts between humans and bears. Instead, the most successful strategies emphasize education and the management of attractants, such as trash and bird feeders, rather than trophy hunts.
“California’s black bears are already struggling with extreme droughts and wildfires, habitat loss and vehicle strikes. Giving hunters a second bear tag is unnecessary and reckless—sound science shows it won’t increase deer herds or reduce conflicts with people, but it will put our largest remaining carnivore at even greater risk,” said Jenny Berg, California state director for Humane World for Animals. “Hundreds of California’s bears are already killed by hunters every year—there is no good reason to double the number of bears an individual can kill.”
“Thousands of Floridians have spoken loud and clear that they don’t want a bear hunt. We hope that the FWC doesn’t barrel ahead just to appease a fringe minority of trophy hunters,” said Kate MacFall, Florida state director for Humane World for Animals. “Gunning down bears won’t solve human-bear conflicts, but it will decimate fragile populations of bears and trample the will of the people this Commission is supposed to serve.”
