Over 100 speak at FWC meeting as officials propose rules for possible bear hunt – WCTV

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Over 100 people signed up to speak at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Ocala Wednesday as they weigh what hunting rules could look like if the commission signs off on its first black bear hunting period in nearly a decade.
Several speakers voiced support for hunts to manage the population, like Dianne Eggeman.
“It’s the common-sense management action given the State of Florida’s bear population,” Eggeman said. “Scientifically, there’s essentially no risk here in terms of conserving black bears. The scientific basis is up to date, and it’s among the very best.”
Dozens of other residents spoke out against the plan, like James Scott.
“The problem today is urban sprawl and unsecured trash, not overpopulation. The solution today is conserving land and securing food sources, not hunting,” Scott said. “A hunt without updated data, population thresholds or scientific justification puts the agency’s credibility at risk.”
A few speakers referenced the state’s last hunt in the fall of 2015. Despite being a seven-day event, it was shut down after hunters killed 300 bears in two days.
In the eastern panhandle, 112 bears were killed, far exceeding the 40 bears expected to be taken.
In Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners approved “highly regulated black bear hunting” rules, and they are scheduled to have a final vote on a hunt in August.
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