Janelle Irwin TaylorAugust 11, 20256min

• bear hunt
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• FWC
• Lindsay Cross
• https://floridapolitics.com/archives/751088-lindsay-cross-blasts-wildlife-cruelty-in-proposed-2025-bear-hunt-urges-fwc-to-shoot-it-down/

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At the very least, she asks that the proposal remove inhumane hunting methods.

Rep. Lindsay Cross, a St. Petersburg Democrat and an environmental scientist, is calling on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to vote down a proposal to open a 23-day bear hunt period in four regions across the state.

Announced in May, the proposal would allow hunting in a region of Southwest Florida, East-Central Florida south of Jacksonville and in the Gainesville area, a north region west of Jacksonville, and the eastern Panhandle west of Big Bend.

The vote is expected this week.

In a letter to FWC Commissioners, Cross took particular issue with the proposal’s inclusion of three hunting methods she described as “wildlife cruelty”: hounding, baiting and archery.

Hounding involves the use of hunting dogs that chase prey, often until they are exhausted or cornered. Critics oppose it because it can inflict extreme stress on the animal being hunted.

As the name suggests, baiting is done by placing types of feed to attract animals being hunted. Opponents say it is a risk to the environment by increasing concentrations of animals, raising the risk of spreading diseases and disrupting wildlife behavior, among other concerns.

Archery, meanwhile, is criticized as a cruel hunting method because of its risk of prolonged suffering by the hunted animal.

Cross further pointed to the last FWC-authorized bear hunt 10 years ago.

“The last bear hunt, held in October of 2015, continues to be a black stain on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Scheduled to last a week, the 2015 hunt ended in only two days, as hunters nearly exceeded the quota and killed 36 lactating females, which undoubtedly resulted in the death of motherless cubs,” she wrote.

“Floridians are still outraged at the mismanagement and unneeded killing of one of Florida’s most iconic and beloved native mammals.”

The 2015 hunt resulted in 295 bears being taken out of the 320 that had been authorized. The total number of bears taken during the hunt was later revised upward to 304, including 38 lactating mother bears. Of the bears hunted that year, 60% were females.

FWC says the hunt is needed to manage a growing black bear population that has rebounded over the years. The agency estimates there are more than 4,000 black bears in Florida today.

“While we have enough suitable bear habitat to support our current bear population levels, if the four largest subpopulations continue to grow at current rates, we will not have enough habitat at some point in the future,” FWC wrote in an FAQ section along with its proposal.

Another section explains why some residents near bear habitats sometimes see bears in their neighborhoods, writing that despite access to habitat, “bears will take advantage of easily accessible foods that can be found in neighborhoods like unsecured garbage, pet food and bird seed.”

Cross took issue with the implication that a bear hunt is needed to avoid bear/human interactions.

“The majority of the negative interactions between the Florida black bear and humans are due to habitat encroachment and failure of humans to properly contain garbage and waste,” she wrote. She added that the Commission should instead “redirect its attention to supporting programs to reduce attractants to bears rather than green-light a trophy hunt.”

“Hundreds of millions of dollars have been dedicated to conserving and restoring habitat for native Florida wildlife, including the Florida black bear. Floridians value our native wildlife, and have spoken out loudly against this wildly unpopular hunt,” Cross continued.

“I urge you to uphold the integrity of this organization’s vision of a ‘Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes’ and in a manner that honors the public trust by voting ‘No’ against this trophy hunt.

Keith Lusher   08.12.25

A prominent Texas ranch broker lost his life during what was supposed to be the hunting trip of a lifetime when a massive Cape buffalo fatally gored him in South Africa’s Limpopo Province this past Sunday.

Asher Watkins, 52, was tracking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo alongside professional guides when the unwounded animal suddenly charged at approximately 35 mph, killing him instantly. The tragic incident occurred during an estimated $10,000 hunting safari organized by Coenraad and Vermaak Safaris in the country’s northernmost province.

Hunter Hans Vermaak, spokesman for the safari company, confirmed the devastating attack to multiple media outlets. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” the company stated. “This was a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo while Asher was tracking it with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers.”

The successful businessman owned Watkins Ranch Group, a luxury real estate brokerage specializing in high-end ranches, farms, and hunting properties across Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Properties in his portfolio typically sell for millions of dollars, catering to affluent landowners and hunting enthusiasts.

Watkins’ hunting passion began early, growing up on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch in Dallas. This background gave him intimate knowledge of ranch operations and land management, which he later parlayed into a successful career in commercial real estate. Before entering the property business, he worked in the oil and gas industry.

A Baylor University alumnus, Watkins was described as “a proud and devoted father who understands the value of introducing youth into the outdoors.” His company biography noted his love for hunting, fishing, and scouting new properties. His social media profiles featured numerous hunting photographs, showcasing successful hunts for desert mule deer and waterfowl.

The tragedy struck while Watkins’ family waited at their upmarket safari lodge. His mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were all present when they received the heartbreaking news. The safari company also notified his ex-wife Courtney and their 16-year-old daughter Savannah, with whom he maintained a close relationship following their 2013 divorce.

Cape buffalo are among Africa’s most dangerous game animals, weighing between 660 to 1,840 pounds and standing up to 5 feet tall. Their distinctive horns are connected by a solid bone shield across the forehead, making them formidable opponents. Known for their unpredictable temperament and protective herd instincts, Cape buffalo are responsible for numerous hunting accidents annually.

Despite their fearsome reputation, Cape buffalo remain popular among trophy hunters seeking Africa’s “Big Five” game animals. Professional hunting operations emphasize safety protocols, but the inherent dangers of pursuing such powerful wildlife cannot be eliminated entirely.

Coenraad and Vermaak Safaris, which promotes “fair chase and ethical hunting combined with deep respect for wildlife,” expressed their commitment to supporting both the family members present in South Africa and those back in the United States during this difficult time.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in big game hunting, even when conducted with experienced professional guides and proper safety measures.