The leading cause of bear-human conflicts is unsecured trash or other food that entices bears into human populated areas. Bear-resistant trash cans and public education are known  to be incredibly effective solutions. Hunting has NOT been proven to reduce bear-human conflict. In fact, hunting may have the opposite effect by pushing bears out of the wilderness and into human areas, and by orphaning cubs who, without their mothers, are more likely to be involved in conflicts. 

The last bear hunt in 2015 had to be cut short after the number of bears allowed to be killed was exceeded in just 48 hours. The hunters pursued bears deep in the wilderness who were staying away from humans, rather than the bears venturing too close to populated areas. 21% of bears killed were lactating mothers,  orphaning a large number of cubs. There was a huge backlash from Floridians. Afterwards, the FWC admitted that educating the public and bear-resistant trashcans were more effective methods, and that implementing these solutions could make hunting unnecessary. 

A January 2022 national survey conducted on behalf of The Humane Society by the Remington Research Group found that 76% of likely 2022 general election voters opposed the trophy hunting of black bears. Voice your opposition by letting the FWC know that Florida does not want another horrific bear hunt!