The Florida bear hunt is set to take place in December, and on Friday, many hopeful participants will learn if they’ve secured a permit.
With 163,000 applicants vying for just 172 permits, the chances of obtaining one are slim.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission planned the 23-day hunt to manage the bear population, estimated at around 4,000 based on 2015 data.
Casey Smith, a Liberty County resident, expressed his passion for bear hunting.
“We have more bear interactions than we’ve had in our lives. I grew up bear hunting with hounds and I want to do that with my children,” said Smith.
However, not everyone agrees with the hunt. Al Valdez, who WINK News met at a WINK Listens event in Charlotte County, voiced his concerns.
“If you’re going to base this all on science, take it to the end. You’re just going to let it open to hunters, and they’re going to indiscriminately take bears that they want. They’re not going to take the sick or the injured or the old. These people are going to look for the best of the best bears out there,” said Valdez.
Valdez believes the state should hire professionals to dart and euthanize sick, old, or injured bears instead.
Conservation groups like the Sierra Club also oppose the bear hunt and have encouraged supporters to apply for permits to reduce the number of hunters participating.
“If you can get a bear permit and don’t use it, that’s one less bear that’s not going to be taken,” said a conservation supporter.
Florida residents paid $100 for a permit, while non-residents paid $300. The hunt will occur within four of the seven existing bear management units in the state. The FWC stated that money raised from the permits will support wildlife conservation efforts.
The bear hunt permits are being issued during three claim windows. Round one is from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6. Round two is from Oct. 10 to Oct. 20, and round three is from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3.