TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agreed Wednesday to consider options for controlling the state’s growing bear population, potentially including hunting.
Meeting in Lakeland, Commissioner Gary Lester urged the agency to consider approving a hunt after wildlife officials said bear populations are increasing in four of seven state regions. Agency staff did not make a recommendation on allowing a hunt.
Hunting opponents reminded the commission of the public uproar during the last state-approved hunt in 2015. But other speakers said bears need to be killed because they are raiding trash cans and getting hit by cars.
“I will be very succinct — I would like to see a proposal from staff for a bear hunt,” Lester told fellow commissioners after public comment concluded.
