The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging a Leon County Circuit Judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to block its approved black bear hunt scheduled for December.
The commission filed documents last week arguing that the conservation group Bear Warriors United is attempting to “encroach upon the commission’s constitutionally derived authority to manage wildlife within the state.”
Bear Warriors United filed the lawsuit in September, seeking a temporary injunction to halt the hunt, which could result in up to 172 bears being killed across four regions of Florida.
The FWC’s motion asserts that the limited, short-term hunt is necessary for managing the state’s bear population to ensure its continued health while balancing the population with the public’s presence. The commission contends its decision is based on sound science, noting that bear populations have expanded in several areas, leading to increased human-bear interactions.
Conversely, Bear Warriors United argues that the FWC’s decision to hold the hunt is not based on “sound” science and research, claiming it relied on “obsolete data and assumptions” that could allow hunts in areas where bear populations are declining.
The group insists the state should use non-lethal measures, like bear-proofing garbage cans, to reduce conflicts.
Judge Angela Dempsey is scheduled to hold a hearing on the matter next week or on November 24 or 25. Bear hunting has been a contentious issue in Florida since the last hunt was held in 2015.
READ: Florida Bears Are Extra Hungry: FWC Reminds Residents To Secure Attractants This Fall
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