Conservation group pushes back on black bear hunt proposed by FWC

SEMINOLE COUNTY Florida WESH The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing a black bear hunt in December to address what it says is a fast-growing bear population It s set to meet May and in Ocala The meeting comes on the heels of a historic first in the state For the first time in recorded history a black bear in Florida has killed a human On May a bear attacked an -year-old man and his dog in Collier County marking a tragic end to a long life It all comes as FWC plans for a black bear hunt in December Next week it will take a look at expected rules for the hunt and aims for a vote on them in August In order to bring it back they re going to have to override residents opinion and the only way they do it is to surf off this tragedy and that s something we don t want to see commented Chuck O Neal president of Speak Up Wekiva He hopes next week s vote isn t made out of emotion or a desire for retribution Within two weeks to have a decision on whether we should bring back hunting I think it s inappropriate and you can help but think the emotion of the event is going to affect to vote he announced FWC reported it s looking at the possibility of issuing permits for black bear hunting with one bear allowed per permit No bear hunting season has been open since and FWC says Florida has over black bears currently Speak Up Wekiva disclosed various of the proposed hunting methods are cruel like using bait for easy kills and chasing bears with dogs O Neal reported he wants the commissioners to take particular time to consider more before moving ahead Hunting bears with dogs is going to lead to dogs coming in after bears into subdivisions and ripping them apart and I don t think anyone in subdivisions like this wants to see that happen he disclosed WESH News did contact FWC about the hunting proposal That announcement will be included when we receive it Protests are scheduled for Saturday across the state ahead of FWC s meeting You can find more information on it here as well as information from FWC about the proposed hunt here