Florida’s black bears, a unique and irreplaceable subspecies, once roamed the entire state. At the time of European contact, an estimated 11,000 bears thrived here, but their numbers plummeted due to unregulated hunting. By the 1970s, only about 500 remained, prompting state protections that allowed them to recover to over 4,000 bears today. However, this conservation success is now under threat.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering allowing another black bear hunt, despite overwhelming public opposition. The last sanctioned hunt in 2015 was a disaster—nearly 300 bears were killed in just two days, forcing officials to shut it down prematurely. Since then, bear populations have remained under pressure due to habitat loss and increasing vehicle collisions, which already kill approximately 300 bears annually.

Scientific data does not support another hunt. The FWC has yet to provide updated population estimates, and many experts, including those from The Humane Society and the Sierra Club, warn that hunting will only further destabilize Florida’s black bear populations. Education, better waste management, and bear-proof trash regulations are far more effective and humane solutions to human-bear interactions.

Public opinion is clear: a 2022 national survey found that 76% of likely voters oppose the trophy hunting of black bears. FWC has a responsibility to base its decisions on science and the will of Floridians, not pressure from special interest groups.

We urge you to take action. Submit your comments opposing the proposed bear hunt through the FWC’s online portal before their final decision on February 27, 2025.

How to Submit Your Comments:

1. Visit the FWC’s official website at FWC Comment Portal
2. Select to submit a General Comment on the proposed ruling.
3. Submit a public comment against the black bear hunt proposal.
4. Share this information with friends and family to amplify our message.

Sample Public Comment Letter:

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Florida Black Bear Hunt

Dear Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission,

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed Florida black bear hunt. Scientific research and public opinion overwhelmingly support non-lethal management strategies over hunting, which is both unnecessary and harmful to bear populations.

A recent peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Wildlife Management (Costello et al., 2023) found that human-bear conflicts are best mitigated through non-lethal measures such as bear-proof trash management, education programs, and habitat preservation—not through hunting. The study emphasizes that killing bears does not reduce human-bear conflicts long-term, as new individuals quickly move into vacated territories.

Furthermore, the FWC’s own data shows that bear-vehicle collisions are already responsible for approximately 300 bear deaths per year. Additional hunting pressure could destabilize populations, especially in fragmented habitats where connectivity is already compromised. Without an updated and transparent population study, authorizing a hunt would be premature and ecologically reckless.

Currently, peer-reviewed research does not support the claim that Florida’s black bear populations have exceeded the carrying capacity of their habitats. In fact, FWC’s own data suggests that some of the state’s Bear Management Units (BMUs) are under capacity, and none have been identified as over capacity. Given this, conserving, restoring, and expanding Florida’s bear habitats should be the priority—not an unnecessary and harmful hunt. Without scientific evidence proving an overpopulation issue, there is no justification for authorizing a black bear hunt in Florida.

Public sentiment also overwhelmingly opposes a black bear hunt. A 2022 survey found that 76% of likely voters oppose trophy hunting of black bears. The 2015 hunt was widely condemned, not only for its ethical implications but also for the lack of sufficient scientific justification. The hunt was shut down in just two days after nearly 300 bears were killed—far exceeding expectations and demonstrating the lack of adequate safeguards.

Instead of authorizing another hunt, I urge the FWC to prioritize science-based solutions, such as increased funding for waste management policies, community education, and stricter regulations on bear-proof trash containers. These methods have proven to be the most effective in reducing human-bear conflicts.

Please reject any proposals for a renewed black bear hunt and commit to a conservation strategy rooted in science, ethics, and public interest.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Let’s ensure Florida’s black bears remain a thriving part of our natural heritage, not a target for unnecessary hunting.

Make your voice heard—protect Florida’s black bears today!