Florida’s Black Bear Hunt Is Now Over

October 26, 2015

Florida’s 2015 black bear hunt was declared closed Sunday night.

More than 3,500 people armed with guns and bows were expected to take to the woods across four swaths of the state starting Saturday morning to begin a quest to kill formerly threatened Florida black bears.

Taking aim at bears is something hunters haven’t been permitted to do anywhere in Florida since 1994.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the beat hunt with a total of 295 bears taken, approaching the statewide objective of 320. The total harvest count was subject to rise as check stations remained opened after the hunt was closed, with hunters having up to 12 hours to check their bears.

The harvest success was higher than expect in the Eastern Panhandle, likely reflecting a higher bear population in that area. FWC expects the 2016 survey to show populations to be significantly higher than the East Panhandle’s 2002 population estimate of 600 bears.

In addition to updated population information expected in 2016 for three additional BMUs (East Panhandle, West Panhandle and South), FWC also will use information from the 2015 hunt to guide management efforts in subsequent years.

Regulated hunting has a long, successful history of contributing to wildlife conservation in North America. Of the 41 states with resident bear populations, 33 of them conduct hunts and all have stable to increasing bear populations, according to FWC.
Some opponents turned out Friday at protests across the state.
“We’re concerned that too many of the bears will be taken,” said Sally Sanders, organizer of a “Stop the Bear Hunt” protest Friday that drew about 70 people outside the commission’s Tallahassee headquarters. “We’re concerned that the population could drop down below a level that it can recover.”

But, state officials remain adamant that the hunt, which limits each permit holder to killing a single bear weighing at least 100 pounds, won’t exceed the overall 320 bears targeted for what the commission calls a “harvest.”

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Comments

18 Responses to “Florida’s Black Bear Hunt Is Now Over”

  1. Blue Line on October 31st, 2015 4:52 pm

    For bear hunt proponents, FWC Commissioners, and those residing near bear habitats essentially blaming bears for human-bear contacts is akin to someone purchasing a house next to an airport and then complaining about the jet noise.

  2. Mark on October 28th, 2015 9:29 am

    I just LOVE how the big solution is “put a lid on your garbage can” like that’s going to defeat a bear that smells food. One or two swipes, and the lid is off.

    “It’s our fault! Too many people infringing on their habitat!” So what do we do? Demolish all houses near bear territory? Force everyone to move away?

    There has not been ONE logical solution posted here outside of culling the herd, which is what they are doing. Ladies and gentleman, that sad truth is, humans are on top of the food chain. Unfortunately, our existance on this planet means that some lower life forms are going to be eaten or displaced.

    If you are one of those that believes we need to leave the bears alone, then you need to do this:

    1. Tear down your house because I’m sure the building of that displaced lots of animals that were living there.

    2. Buy a big house boat and live on the ocean, where you will not screw with bears, owls, or chipmunks.

    3. If steps one and two do not appeal to you, then you have no right to complain when a hungry bear wanders into your neighborhood, mauls YOUR child or loved one, or kills your pet.

  3. jeeperman on October 28th, 2015 6:41 am

    If people would stop feeding the bears on purpose and via unsecured garbage containers, there would be no need to thin the herd.

  4. Sedition on October 27th, 2015 11:19 am

    Well, if the overpopulation of people are the problem, let’s have an open season on criminals. What would be an acceptable daily bag limit?

  5. Rocky on October 27th, 2015 10:19 am

    Hannah… the season should have never been closed. Estimates of bear numbers have been inaccurate for decades, especially those numbers espoused by special interest groups opposed to the hunting season. I’ve lived in the woods most of my life, earned my living in the woods most of my life, and I hunted bear before the season was closed. I know how many bear they suggested were in the area we hunted prior to them closing the season, I know how many bear we killed each year, I know we killed more bear than they said existed here several years, and I know we never made a dent in the population here.

  6. Rocky on October 27th, 2015 10:06 am

    tg… Western panhandle unit was not open to bear hunting. Of the 7 units defined throughout the state, only 4 were open to hunting, based upon FWC Bear Population estimates.

  7. haley on October 27th, 2015 7:48 am

    Glad the hunt is over. And btw Jeff, I am a republican and I totally opposed this bear hunt. Putting ppl in categories is nothing but bigotry and total ignorance. I think this bear hunt was deplorable. One guy was arrested or fined for killing a cub. I saw this hunt as nothing but a free-for-all for ppl who love killing for the pure fun of it. And Hannah you are spot on this hunt should have never happened. We move into their habitat, and then decide they are overpopulating? Sad……

  8. C.O. Jones on October 27th, 2015 7:05 am

    Bear Lives Matter?

  9. Kristen on October 26th, 2015 11:19 pm

    Well considering the fact that we have infringed on their habitat I believe it is best that we try to coexist with them. The problem is not bear overpopulation, but rather an overpopulation of humans. The Bears have just as much rights to the land as you and I.

  10. Mike on October 26th, 2015 10:01 pm

    Hannah, don’t forget the poor cows & chickens, they have been under mankind’s thumb for far too long, you must take up their cause as well. :D

  11. A alex on October 26th, 2015 5:46 pm

    Mark, it’s not the bear that’s over populated, try,
    People and the outgrowing cities.

  12. Sedition on October 26th, 2015 5:23 pm

    You’re right, Hanna…people WILL remember this during election cycle. And those who approved the occasional culling hunt will get my vote.

  13. Mark on October 26th, 2015 1:51 pm

    OK Hannah, how would YOU handle the overpopulation of bears? Please explain HOW it would be done, and WHERE the money will come from. (and don’t just say move them to another area)

  14. puddin on October 26th, 2015 9:20 am

    TG, it is my understanding that in zone D, which would include the area of Navarre, there were no permits given to hunters. It is a double edge sword when you have bears in your back yard. The hunters cant legally take bears here but if you call FWC and they send out a trapper to harvest the critters, the put them down. The bears are not relocated due to lack of funds and the fact that bears will travel hundreds of miles to return to their regular areas. Permits are not issued in this area due to low populations of the Yogi’s and Booboo’s.

  15. Don on October 26th, 2015 8:58 am

    Boo-boo been gasp..knowing gasp ya..be strong gasp ..;love yogi..

  16. Jeff on October 26th, 2015 8:36 am

    One of the many reasons I do not vote republican because I guarantee you that it was the idea of a republican to have this hunt and those participating in this hunt were republicans also.

  17. Hannah on October 26th, 2015 8:03 am

    Good this never should have happened to begin with. People remember this during election season.

  18. tg on October 26th, 2015 7:06 am

    Wonder how many were killed in Navaree area?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News