FWC To Hold Black Bear Management Plan Webinars

March 17, 2015

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting two webinars to discuss proposed changes to the black bear management program. Proposed amendments to the bear feeding and conservation rules as well as rule changes required to have a bear hunt in the fall of 2015 will be discussed.

The webinars will be held March 23 and March 26, each beginning at 7 p.m. CDT.  Those interested in viewing the webinar must register for either session.

“These webinars will give the FWC a chance to reach out to more members of the public than with traditional public meetings,” said David Telesco, bear management coordinator. “The public will have the opportunity to learn more about our bear management program, offer up their comments and ask questions.”

To register for the March 23 webinar, go to: click here. For the March 26 webinar, go to: click here. Participants should register for just one session.

Comments

4 Responses to “FWC To Hold Black Bear Management Plan Webinars”

  1. PensacolaEd on March 19th, 2015 2:40 pm

    I was bow hunting in the Ocala National Forest several years ago, when I was confronted and charged by a black bear about 200 pounds. This bear had absolutely ZERO fear of humans, and THAT is a recipe for disaster. It’s time we did a little herd management and put the fear of humans back into these bears. Something like the quota system currently used for alligators, that limits the number of bears harvested. Managed hunting will keep the bear herd numbers in check, without damaging the overall population. I can tell you that the Ocala National Forest is loaded with bears. I see at least one bear nearly every time I sit during deer season.

  2. chris in Molino on March 17th, 2015 7:25 pm

    It’s not that there are more bears, there’s just more people moving into bear territory. Dang, don’t kill em, relocate every one that comes into human contact to all this state land recently purchased in our area by Florida and Alabama. Granted, it’s not near the size of Eglin, but nowhere near this land is any populated area. Besides, thats exactly the reason both states purchased the land; to link a gateway to Mississippi Valley to bring back animals like the black bear (their words, not mine).

  3. J Carnley on March 17th, 2015 1:12 pm

    The love of Bears is a deep sacred connection as Native Americans call them our brothers and although a Bear Hunt is sad it is deemed necessary for balance. The actual problem is that we practice things like leaving out dog food and of not securing trash that attracts them close to our yards and homes. This practice of humans endangers themselves and their children and animals. This webinar will help educate people.Relocation for a bear that has been taught to look to humans for food is dangerous. Many Bears were relocated into Tate;s Hell National Forest near Apalachicola near Eastpoint, FL where the young girl was mauled. Bears will swim after boats in the St Marks River and climb in to attempt to get food. The danger and wrongdoing is to feed, even unintentionally wild animals, Once fed they will not unlearn that behavior.

  4. Jan Nickerson on March 17th, 2015 11:14 am

    No bear hunting. There is a bear that come in my yard to feast on dog food. It has hauled off 300 pounds of dog food, ruined my fence, done damage to a building. I do not want it killed. Hauled off, yes. Killed, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!