FWC discusses plan to authorize regulated black bear hunting

Yahoo

01-03-2025

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Sheriff A.J. Smith was instrumental in getting the black bear law passed during last year's legislative session.
Bears have been encroaching into populated areas more regularly in the last few years, foraging for food close to homes and cars.
Smith lobbied lawmakers to do something. The result was a law that allows people to shoot bears if they're threatened on their own property.
Smith says that hasn't happened yet, and the bear situation has since improved.
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However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is holding hearings next month on a plan to authorize an annual bear hunt.
'They're talking about having a bear hunt, which I think of. It's of kind, like alligators. There's a tag for you, and you have to get a tag for an alligator. And you have to there's only a certain number,r and you have to be licensed and stuff like that. They do it the proper way. I think it'll be fine. And I think that's what the meeting that's going to be held is going to talk about. And I don't have a problem with it at all as long as it's regulated and done in the proper way,' Sheriff AJ Smith said.
The FWC is hosting a virtual public meeting on March 13 at 6 pm Eastern to hear comments on regulated black bear hunting. To attend the meeting, click here.
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