TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Black bears whose cubs weigh less than 100 pounds would be off-limits if the state conducts bear hunts in the future, under a measure filed for the 2019 legislative session.
The proposal, which was filed without success for the past two years, is part of the continuing reaction to a black-bear hunt in October 2015 in which more than 300 bears were killed.
The hunt was the first in the state in two decades. Hunt supporters have argued that hunting is one way to manage bear populations and to reduce potentially dangerous bear-human interactions.
Opponents, including Kate MacFall with the Humane Society of the United States, said killing female bears is especially devastating.
“We know from the hunt that happened in 2015 that 304 bears were killed. Over half were female bears," said MacFall. "Many of them were lactating, which left a lot of cubs orphaned.”
In recent years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has voted against holding subsequent bear hunts. A delay was approved in 2017 to allow staff members to complete an ongoing 10-year bear management plan in the next year or two.
The proposal will be considered during the 2019 legislative session which begins in March.
