Protests Erupt Over Proposed Black Bear Hunt in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds gathered at Lake Eola Park on Saturday to voice opposition to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) proposed black bear hunt. Activists, including Katrina McAllister from Ocala, criticized the hunt as unnecessary, arguing it is driven by trophy-hunting motives rather than genuine wildlife management needs. “The real reason they want to kill and hurt them is just for a trophy,” she stated.
If approved, the hunt would mark the state’s first black bear hunting initiative in a decade, occurring over nearly three weeks in December and in subsequent years from October to December. Protestor Val Mobley recounted the disastrous outcome of the last bear hunt in 2015, which saw more than 300 bears killed, exceeding the allotted quota. The upcoming FWC meetings in Ocala are expected to spark further debate on the hunt, with critics highlighting concerns over the absence of check-in stations and the proposed use of hunting dogs.
Bryan Wilson from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida condemned the plan as a "blood sport" benefiting only a select few with permits. Conversely, hunters like Freddie Algarin argue that the hunt could aid in controlling the growing bear population, which has seen a notable increase in bear sightings in urban areas. The FWC plans to issue limited hunting permits, allowing harvests only in areas with a minimum of 200 bears and aiming for a total limit of about 187 bears.
Currently, Florida is home to over 4,000 black bears, prompting an urgent discussion on population management and wildlife habitat protection as stakeholders await the FWC’s upcoming decision on the controversial hunt.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
