JOIN OUR STATEWIDE PROTESTS, THE RALLY FOR THE FLORIDA BLACK BEARS, & MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS TO ATTEND THE FWC COMMISSION MEETINGS.
In 2016, Floridians made history by rising up as a powerful, unified front to oppose the state’s black bear trophy hunt. Our statewide protests were a turning point in the fight to stop the Florida black bear hunt. Public pressure was the reason officials halted the hunt in 2016. Now, we are being called to action once again.
On May 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, we will gather across Florida in cities including Orlando, Jupiter, Naples, Sarasota, Deland, Sebring, Miami, and more to demand that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) cancel its plans for a December 2025 black bear trophy hunt.
This proposed bear hunt isn’t about managing Florida’s black bear population. It is a trophy hunt, plain and simple.
At a recent FWC virtual meeting, which we also posted about in one of our previous petition updates, officials confirmed they intend to move forward with the hunt, despite admitting that Florida’s black bear population has not increased since 2015.
Florida’s black bears are not trophies. They are one of Florida's beloved native species and are a cherished part of Florida’s unique biodiversity. Black bears play a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of our forest ecosystems. Science, ethics, and public sentiment are aligned: this proposed bear hunt is unnecessary, unethical, and scientifically unsound.
We need you to take action: visit our website, BEARDEFENDERS.ORG, to join our protests. Please click 'GOING' if you plan to attend a protest.
*** SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES AND PLAN TO ATTEND!!! ***
May 4, 2025 – Rally for the Florida Black Bears Northeast Lawn of Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Our Executive Director, Adam Sugalski, will be speaking at the event, along with Chuck O'Neal from Speak Up Wekiva, Shannon Geis of Florida Wildlife Advocates, Brian & Carla Wilson of ARFF, and Susan Hargreaves of Animal Hero Kids.
May 17, 2025 – Statewide Protest Against the Bear Hunt, From 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Multiple cities across Florida
May 21–22, 2025 – FWC Commission Meeting – Speak Up for Florida’s Bears
8:30 AM (arrive early to register for public comment)
College of Central Florida, Building 40
3001 S.W. College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474
Please read and share our petition, which contains essential background information, data, and the whole story behind the renewed push for bear trophy hunting in Florida. Be sure to scroll through to complete the calls to action and review our previous updates.
Let’s make history again, together for the bears, for the wild, for Florida.
For questions, inquiries, and to set up a protest in your city, reach out to us at contact@oneprotest.org.
Thank you for your advocacy!