“Taking of Bears” is a Step in the Wrong Direction

Florida, known for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, is facing a critical legislative challenge with the “Taking of Bears” legislation (HB 87). This bill will allow lethal means to defend oneself and personal property when threatened by a Florida black bear.  The Florida Wildlife Federation (Federation) is opposed to this legislation because it preempts the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) constitutional authority to manage Florida’s wildlife, with the iconic Florida black bear setting a harmful precedent. 

The FWC is our state’s agency responsible for managing and regulating the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources. The Federation has played a significant role in advocating for the ability of FWC to serve in this role. The FWC was first established in 1943 as Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. In 1998, a constitutional ballot amendment passed establishing the FWC as a constitutional authority due largely to the Federation. The Federation, along with other conservation organizations, worked to raise awareness about the importance of consolidating and strengthening wildlife management efforts in the state. Through our collective public outreach, education, and advocacy efforts, Amendment 5 passed, which enshrined the FWC’s role in the Florida Constitution.  

Regarding the Florida black bear, through its constitutional authority to regulate wildlife, the FWC adopted rule 68A-4.009 Florida Black Bear Conservation Florida Administrative Code. Under the FWC rule: 

(1) No person shall take, possess, injure, shoot, collect, or sell black bears or their parts or to attempt to engage in such conduct except as authorized by Commission rule or by permit from the Commission.  

(2) The Commission will issue permits authorizing intentional take of bears when it determines such authorization furthers scientific or conservation purposes which will benefit the survival potential of the species or to reduce property damage caused by bears. For purposes of this rule, activities that are eligible for a permit include:  

(a) Collection of scientific data needed for conservation or management of the species; 

(b) Taking bears that are causing property damage when no non-lethal options can provide practical resolution to the damage, and the Commission is unable to capture the bear. 

(3) The Commission authorizes members of the public to take a bear in an attempt to scare a bear away from people using methods considered non-lethal. Staff shall authorize specific methods and situations that qualify for this authorization at http://MyFWC.com/bear/.  

(4) The Commission will provide technical assistance to land owners and comments to permitting agencies in order to minimize and avoid potential negative human-bear interactions or impacts of land modifications on the conservation and management of black bears. The Commission will base its comments and recommendations on the goals and objectives of the approved Florida Black Bear Management Plan. The plan can be obtained at http://MyFWC.com/bear/.   

The Florida Black Bear Conservation rule, developed after extensive science-based review and stakeholder involvement, already establishes circumstances where the public may “take”* a Florida black bear when the need to defend oneself and property is justified. 

The FWC is entrusted with managing and conserving Florida’s wildlife resources for the benefit of present and future generations. By circumventing the FWC’s regulatory authority, HB 87 sets a dangerous precedent that could weaken the state’s ability to effectively manage its diverse wildlife populations. For this reason, the Federation opposes the legislation and calls on Governor DeSantis to exercise his executive power and veto this bill.  

We ask you to join us and call on Governor DeSantis to veto this misguided approach to wildlife management.