Will Florida put black bears back in the crosshairs for the kill?

Jim Waymer, Florida Today
·3 min read
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Will Florida put black bears back in the crosshairs?

Some conservationists think so. Florida's proposed “Self Defense Act” allows lethal force to kill a bear without a permit or authorization if people or private property are threatened. The bill will go before a Florida House Committee on Tuesday.

What does the bill allow?

Whoever kills the bear is not subject to any administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. They would have to notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours and may not "possess, sell, or dispose" the dead bear or its parts, the legislative staff analysis of the bill says. FWC would have to dispose of the bear.

Would it mean people would be allowed to bait for bears?

No. The act does not apply if a person lures a bear with food or attractants for an illegal purpose, including training dogs to hunt bears, or provokes a bear to incite attack," the staff analysis says.

In 2015, the Legislature increased the penalties for repeatedly feeding bears and certain other wildlife.

People are still not allowed to possess, sell, or dispose of the dead bear or its parts.

In May 2020, zookeeper Sidnee Mellor bonds with Cheyenne, a Florida black bear brought to the zoo after it was determined that the bear could not be released into the wild.
In May 2020, zookeeper Sidnee Mellor bonds with Cheyenne, a Florida black bear brought to the zoo after it was determined that the bear could not be released into the wild.

Is bear hunting allowed in Florida?

Not at this time. Bear hunting in Florida was first regulated in 1936 and continued through 1994 in certain parts of the state. The most recent bear hunt happened in October 2015, during which FWC authorized four of the seven bear management areas to be opened to limited bear hunting but has been closed since that time.

Who is sponsoring the bear-kill bill?

The bill, House Bill 87, was proposed by Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, and cosponsored by Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, in the Senate.

What happens next with the bear-kill bill?

The bill goes before the House Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida.

How many black bears remain in Florida?

Due to loss of habitat and hunting, the black bear population dipped to 300-500 bears in the 1970s. As a result, Florida classified the Florida black bear as a threatened species in 1974.

Now estimates of black bears top 4,000 individuals.

Are black bears listed as endangered or threatened?

No. After more than three decades of strict statewide protection and management, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission determined that the Florida black bear was no longer at high risk of extinction. As a result, the Florida black bear was removed from the state threatened species list in 2012.

Does Florida euthanize black bears?

Yes. Between 2009 and 2018, FWC euthanized an average of 38 bears per year due to public safety risks. FWC found that a majority of the mortalities were associated with bears seeking out unsecured garbage or other human-provided food sources.

In 2022, FWC received 5,907 calls relating to bears.

Where can I learn more about black bears?

Visit FWC's website at myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida bill would allow people to kill black bears without a permit