Florida's Bear Hunt: A Questionable Conservation Strategy

Florida's approach to managing its black bear population has sparked controversy. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently approved a three-week hunt without any monitoring or check stations. Critics argue that this decision contradicts both scientific recommendations and the FWC's own management plan. The FWC has not disclosed the number of bears killed during the hunt, which has raised concerns about transparency and potential poaching. Future plans for 2026 include even more contentious methods, such as baiting and the use of dogs, which many consider inhumane. The FWC's decision to proceed with the hunt despite scientific advice is puzzling. For instance, in the Ocala unit, the bear population was estimated to be below 200, a number that experts say is too low to maintain genetic diversity. Yet, the FWC went ahead with the hunt. The hunt's design has been criticized for being poorly planned. Without monitoring or check stations, there is no way to ensure that hunters are following the rules. This lack of oversight could lead to multiple bears being killed or injured without anyone knowing.The upcoming hunt in 2026 is expected to be even more controversial. It will allow hunters to bait bears and use dogs to track them. Critics argue that baiting is not a fair hunting practice and that using dogs can lead to the maiming and killing of bears, including mothers and their cubs. In 2015, a similar hunt had to be called off after just 48 hours because over 300 bears were killed, including 38 lactating mothers. This resulted in an estimated 72-114 orphaned cubs left to starve. The current lack of monitoring makes it difficult to know if similar incidents are happening now. While other countries are moving towards banning hunting practices that involve animals, Florida seems to be going in the opposite direction. The FWC's decision to allow baiting and the use of dogs in future hunts has been described as disgusting and barbaric. Critics argue that the FWC is pandering to special interest groups rather than making decisions based on science. Commission Chair Rodney Barretto has been accused of twisting logic to create a trophy hunt that is not supported by current scientific evidence. The FWC's actions have raised questions about its commitment to wildlife conservation. Many believe that the organization needs to be reformed to better protect Florida's black bear population and ensure that hunting practices are ethical and transparent.