Stop Florida’s proposed bear hunt!

Florida’s black bears are in danger once again.

Despite widespread public opposition and no scientific justification, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering a proposal to reinstate a black bear hunt, and we need your help to stop it.

Why Sierra Club Florida opposes the bear hunt:

No scientific basis. Peer-reviewed research does NOT support claims that bear populations have exceeded their habitat’s capacity. In fact, FWC’s own data suggests some bear management areas remain under capacity.
Human-bear conflicts are preventable. These conflicts are primarily driven by human encroachment into bear habitats—not by an overpopulation of bears. Education, better waste management, and habitat protection are the real solutions.
Trophy hunting is not the answer. Killing bears for sport disrupts their social and reproductive structures and undermines public respect for wildlife.

Instead of hunting, FWC should focus on non-lethal conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, public education, and bear-proofing measures.

Take action now to urge FWC to reject the proposed bear hunt, and help us speak up for Florida’s black bears before it’s too late!

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Stop Florida’s proposed bear hunt!

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Dear FWC Commissioners:

I strongly oppose the proposed black bear hunt in Florida.

Current peer-reviewed bear research data does not appear to support the proposition that the viability of Florida’s regional Black bear populations has reached a point where their habitats cannot sustain the existing number of bears on them. In fact, FWC’s bear research data shows some of the State’s Bear Management Units (BMU’s) are currently under-capacity for the number of bears they can support, and none of them have reached a point where they could be considered as being “over capacity” for viably sustaining their existing bear population.

Accordingly, conserving, restoring and increasing Florida’s regional bear habitats and expansion of dispersal/travel corridors for bears and other far-roaming wildlife should be the primary goal guiding FWC’s conservation of Black bears. Therefore, lacking peer/reviewed research data to substantiate an over-capacity of bears on any of FWC’s BMU’s there does not appear to be any scientific basis for authorizing a Black bear hunt in Florida.

Human-bear conflicts are primarily caused by human behavior—specifically, expanding development and urban sprawl into bear habitats. Approximately 300 bears are killed annually in vehicle collisions, a much greater concern than conflicts between bears and humans. The solution lies in public education and proactive measures to reduce human-bear interactions, not in sanctioning a hunt.

Trophy hunting has serious ethical and ecological implications, as it could disrupt bear social and reproductive structures and undermine public respect for wildlife. Instead of hunting, I urge the FWC to invest in non-lethal strategies such as habitat preservation, expansion of dispersal/travel corridors, education, and bear-safe practices to promote coexistence.

I respectfully ask that you reject the bear hunt proposal and prioritize sustainable, science-based approaches to bear management.

Thank you,

Dear FWC Commissioners: I strongly oppose the proposed black bear hunt in Florida. Current peer-reviewed bear research data does not appear to support the proposition that the viability of Florida’s regional Black bear populations has reached a point where their habitats cannot sustain the existing number of bears on them. In fact, FWC’s bear research data shows some of the State’s Bear Management Units (BMU’s) are currently under-capacity for the number of bears they can support, and none of them have reached a point where they could be considered as being “over capacity” for viably sustaining their existing bear population. Accordingly, conserving, restoring and increasing Florida’s regional bear habitats and expansion of dispersal/travel corridors for bears and other far-roaming wildlife should be the primary goal guiding FWC’s conservation of Black bears. Therefore, lacking peer/reviewed research data to substantiate an over-capacity of bears on any of FWC’s BMU’s there does not appear to be any scientific basis for authorizing a Black bear hunt in Florida. Human-bear conflicts are primarily caused by human behavior—specifically, expanding development and urban sprawl into bear habitats. Approximately 300 bears are killed annually in vehicle collisions, a much greater concern than conflicts between bears and humans. The solution lies in public education and proactive measures to reduce human-bear interactions, not in sanctioning a hunt. Trophy hunting has serious ethical and ecological implications, as it could disrupt bear social and reproductive structures and undermine public respect for wildlife. Instead of hunting, I urge the FWC to invest in non-lethal strategies such as habitat preservation, expansion of dispersal/travel corridors, education, and bear-safe practices to promote coexistence. I respectfully ask that you reject the bear hunt proposal and prioritize sustainable, science-based approaches to bear management. Thank you,

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