Floridians are speaking out in force against a controversial proposal by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that would reinstate a trophy hunting season targeting the state’s iconic black bears.
The plan, if approved, would allow for the killing of up to 187 bears—using methods such as hounding, baiting, and archery—sparking fierce backlash from animal welfare advocates and the general public, with the majority of Floridians opposing the measure.
A Controversial Comeback
The FWC’s proposal, released earlier this year, has drawn swift criticism as a dangerous and inhumane step backward for Florida’s wildlife conservation efforts. Webinars held in March and April to collect public feedback were flooded with hundreds of participants, many affiliated with organizations like Humane World for Animals and OneProtest. The overwhelming sentiment: resounding opposition.
“A Florida bear hunt has nothing to do with conservation and instead sacrifices Florida’s wildlife and the public trust to appease a tiny fringe group of trophy hunters. Practices like hounding and baiting—methods that inflict extreme cruelty and chaos in our forests—are even more disturbing,” said Kate MacFall, Florida state director for Humane World for Animals.
History Repeats Itself
The proposal has reignited painful memories of Florida’s last black bear hunt in 2015—the first of its kind in decades. That hunt resulted in the killing of over 300 bears in just 48 hours, including nursing mothers, leaving more than 100 cubs likely orphaned in the wild.
Beyond the numbers, the methods used were also widely condemned. Bow hunting led some bears to suffer prolonged deaths, while hound hunting saw dogs unleashed to chase bears through the woods.
Public outrage forced the FWC to halt future bear hunts. Many believed the issue was settled. Now, just a few years later, residents are shocked to see the debate resurface.
Why the Push to Hunt?
The FWC claims the hunt is part of a broader wildlife management strategy—to reduce human-bear conflicts and improve public safety. But critics argue there is little evidence that trophy hunting is effective in achieving these goals.
Instead, they point to non-lethal alternatives, such as improved waste management, community education, and bear-aware practices as more ethical and effective tools.
Wildlife experts also emphasize that Florida’s black bear population is still vulnerable. While the species was considered recovered in 2012, according to the Florida Wildlife Federation, urban development and habitat fragmentation are once again putting them at risk.
A Call to Action
Animal advocates are urging Floridians to contact the FWC and voice their opposition before the commission makes a final decision.
As the FWC weighs its decision, conservationists, residents, and advocacy groups are calling on Florida leaders to reject the hunt and reaffirm the state’s commitment to protecting one of its most beloved native species.
“It is time we expose and end this barbaric practice of bear hunting. With their habitat shrinking every second of every day, we owe it to them to take a stand to protect the last forests they inhabit!” Said Adam Sugalski, Executive Director of OneProtest.
For many, the message is simple: the bears deserve better.