

SEE BELOW FOR A LIST OF ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO STOP FLORIDA'S BEAR TROPHY HUNT!!!
PROTEST TROPHY HUNTER FWC COMMISSIONER PRESTON FARRIOR
Join us for a peaceful protest this Saturday, August 2nd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM outside of one of FWC Commissioner Preston Farrior’s car dealerships in Tampa, to send a clear message to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Floridians do not support trophy hunting, nor do we accept decisions about “our” wildlife being made by individuals with a history of killing bears for trophies. Preston Farrior, an FWC Commissioner and avid trophy hunter known for killing bears and other iconic wildlife, will soon be voting alongside the six other FWC commissioners on whether to reinstate a black bear trophy hunt in Florida. This protest aims to hold him accountable and expose the conflict of interest that threatens the integrity of wildlife governance in our state.
Let’s show our unity, compassion, and unwavering defense of Florida’s black bears. Bring signs and stand with us for Florida’s black bears.
Location: In front of Ferman Chevrolet, 16314 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
RSVP BY AUG. 5TH FOR A SPOT ON SIERRA CLUB’S BEAR BUS
Hop on Sierra Club's Bear Bus for a round trip ride to attend the FWC Meeting on August 13th.
JAX ART WALK LEAFLETING EVENT TO STOP THE FLORIDA BEAR HUNT
Date: August 6th
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: James Weldon Johnson Park, 135 W Monroe St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
STOP THE FLORIDA BEAR HUNT AUGUST 9TH STATEWIDE PROTESTS
Join one of our statewide protests taking place on August 9th, the weekend before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has its final vote on whether or not to have a bear trophy hunt. Click the link below to find a protest near you.
ATTEND THE FWC MEETING IN HAVANA, FLORIDA, ON AUGUST 12TH
A final vote on the bear hunt will be made at this FWC meeting. Plan to arrive early to sign up to speak. You will likely have 1 minute or less to convey your message. Please prepare.
Dates: August 13, 2025.
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Arrive no later than 7:30 am to register to speak).
Location: Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy
75 College Ave., Havana, Florida 32333
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING
You can submit your comments using the FWC’s online comment form before the deadline on August 8th at 5 pm.
IN ADDITION TO THE ACTION ITEMS ABOVE, PLEASE
Call and Email Governor Ron DeSantis
As the state’s highest executive, Governor DeSantis has the authority to influence FWC policy. Urge him to oppose the hunt and protect Florida’s black bears for future generations.
Phone: (850) 717-9337
Email: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
CONTACT THE FWC COMMISSIONERS
Contact all seven commissioners directly by copying and pasting the following email addresses into the BCC field of your message. Please urge the commissioners to vote NO on the bear hunt. Please thank FWC Commissioner Steven Hudson for voting no during the preliminary vote.
FWC Commissioner Emails:
Rodney.Barreto@MyFWC.com, Steven.Hudson@MyFWC.com, Preston.Farrior@MyFWC.com, Sonya.Rood@MyFWC.com, Albert.Maury@MyFWC.com, Gary.Nicklaus@MyFWC.com, Gary.Lester@MyFWC.com
BEARDEFENDERS.ORG