Stop the Black Bear Trophy Hunt in Florida

The Issue
Florida’s black bears are more than just wildlife — they are a symbol of our state’s natural heritage. Yet, despite overwhelming public opposition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has voted to reinstate trophy hunting for the first time in a decade.

This decision disregards both science and the public’s voice. In 2015, Florida’s last bear hunt ended in tragedy when more than 300 bears were slaughtered in just two days — including nursing mothers, leaving cubs to die. Now, the FWC has approved a new hunt allowing up to 187 bears to be killed this December, with plans for annual hunts to follow.

The FWC claims the hunt is “science-based,” but their own data proves otherwise. Research shows that habitat protection — not killing — is what sustains healthy bear populations. Bear-related incidents with humans are extremely rare, and when they occur, they’re usually caused by unsecured trash or attractants in residential areas. Community education and nonlethal solutions work — mass killing does not.

Public opposition could not be stronger. The FWC’s own survey found that 75% of over 13,000 respondents opposed the hunt. Nearly 3,000 Floridians submitted comments urging the Commission to vote “no.” At the August 13 meeting, opponents vastly outnumbered supporters — from longtime residents to children pleading for compassion.

Yet the Commission sided with a small minority of trophy hunters who call killing “heritage.” Allowing cruel methods like bait stations, chase dogs, and bow hunting only adds to the unnecessary suffering of these intelligent, sentient animals.

The Solution
Governor Ron DeSantis has the power to act. He can stop the December hunt before it begins and ensure Florida’s black bears are truly protected.

We Call On Governor DeSantis to:

• Halt the planned December 2025 hunt immediately.
• Reject annual trophy hunting seasons for black bears.
• Invest in real conservation solutions: habitat protection, trash management, and public education.

Florida’s bears are part of our wild family. Killing them for sport is not conservation — it is cruelty. Science, compassion, and the will of the people demand better.