Group pushes for bear hunt decision postponement 

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In the wake of the fatal bear attack in Jerome, the conversation around a potential bear hunt is heating up.

In the wake of the fatal bear attack in Jerome, the conversation around a potential bear hunt is heating up. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected to discuss options for a 2025 bear hunt at their upcoming meeting scheduled for May 21.

This topic has been on the agenda even before the recent attack in Jerome, and it remains a divisive issue. Florida has not held a regulated bear hunt since 2015, and prior to that, not since 1994. The recent attack led one group called “Bear Defenders” to urge the commission to delay making any decisions until emotions, like fear and revenge, have cooled.

Item 5 on FWC’s agenda for May 21 is titled “Proposed Rules – Options for a Black Bear Hunt.” 

Staff will present “Amendments to hunting rules to implement a sustainable and repeatable hunt structure,” to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners.

“The goal of the very highly educated and well qualified scientists at FWC is not, is not to kill all the bears, which some people would have you believe, but it’s to manage the growth of the population so that it can be sustained,” said Mike Elfenbein.

Elfenbein is the Executive Director of the Cypress Chapter of the Izaac Walton League of America. It’s a conservation group which fights to protect our air, water and wildlife and is rooted in outdoor traditions like hunting, fishing, canoeing and camping — according to its website.

“As a hunter, as a sportsman, as a conservationist, I am always in support of scientifically driven conservation tools in the state of Florida,” Elfenbein added, “and fishing and hunting are one of those tools for conservation of wildlife.”

In an FAQ, FWC says it wants to slow population growth to keep the numbers “In balance with suitable habitat,” adding, “At some point bears will have to start living in more marginal habitats, like neighborhoods.”

Elfenbein wanted to draw attention to this fact, of the 40 states with black bear populations, 34 have regulated bear hunting seasons. Of the 6 that don’t, Florida has the most bears. FWC estimates there are just over four thousand in the state.

“They don’t have a legitimate count of how many bears are in this state, and they won’t until 2029 2030. Postpone the hunt. Stop it right now. Don’t let hunters go out there and shoot and kill bears for trophies right after somebody was killed,” said Tom Mooney.

Mooney is part of a group called Bear Defenders. At the very least, they want the proposal and any decision to be postponed to when emotions like revenge and fear aren’t as high. Their ideal goal, Mooney says they want no hunt.

“2012, the bears were on the endangered species list. 2015, they killed hundreds of bears,” With tears welling in his eyes, Mooney said, “That’s not the state of Florida. Protect and preserve conservation. This isn’t conservation. It’s killing”

Mooney said he fears extinction. “I am not your trophy,” reads Mooney’s sign with a bear on it. He plans to hold it up at one of the multiple Bear Defender Protests ahead of FWC’s meeting. 

Mooney and Elfenbein are motivated by the same thing, the environment. But are on opposite sides of this proposed bear hunt.

“Love the state. I love the environment, if it wasn’t for the everglades and being able to photograph bears, panthers, bobcats. What next? What next? What happens when they’re gone? If the state of Florida continues to build, 20 years from now, there won’t be any bears anyways,” said Mooney.

“Wild Florida is what, what motivates me. I spend every day of my life fighting for Florida, for our everglades, for water quality, for conservation of the landscape, and to ensure that we leave Florida better for my children and your children,” said Elfenbein.

The exact proposal — or the options that will be presented by staff aren’t public record. FWC told WINK news presentation documents will be posted when available. 

Commissioners will vote on May 21 whether or not to move forward with a final vote at the August commission meeting.

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