During the December 11, 2024, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in Lakeland, Florida, Commissioner Gary Lester said he wants a bear hunt. 

Gary Lester made this statement after FWC staff, including bear biologists, updated the commissioners on their bear management plan and objectives for the future, including population, habitat, human-bear conflicts, and education/outreach.

Despite staff recommending against a bear hunt and stating that no action is needed for the bear population, the FWC requested a proposal for another bear hunt.

While FWC commissioners didn’t say yes to a bear hunt, they didn’t say no either.

Please join our Executive Director, Adam Sugalski, and Chuck O'Neal of the Florida Wildlife Advocates Podcast on 12/26/2024 at 6:00 PM. 

This podcast episode will highlight the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) recent proposal for a future Florida black bear hunt.

 Click here to join the podcast and learn what actions you can take against a future black bear trophy hunt.

Follow us for updates and future calls to action.

One Protest 

Bear Defenders

One Protest (IG)

(Photo from the 2016 FWC Meeting in Apalachicola, Florida)