Lindsay Cross Sounds Alarm: Stop Florida's Controversial Bear Hunt Now!

Lindsay Cross Sounds Alarm: Stop Florida's Controversial Bear Hunt Now!

Amid rising tensions surrounding Florida’s wildlife management practices, Rep. Lindsay Cross, a Democrat from St. Petersburg and environmental scientist, is vocalizing her objections to a proposed 23-day bear hunt by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The proposal, introduced in May 2025, would affect several regions, including Southwest Florida, East-Central Florida south of Jacksonville, the Gainesville area, and the eastern Panhandle west of Big Bend. With a decisive vote expected this week, Cross’s impassioned plea raises critical concerns about animal welfare and the ethics of hunting methods being considered.

In her critique, Cross labeled the inclusion of hounding, baiting, and archery in the proposal as „wildlife cruelty.“ Hounding, which involves the use of dogs to chase bears, has the potential to cause extreme stress to these animals. Similarly, baiting, which aims to attract bears using feed, poses risks related to environmental impacts and disease transmission. Archery, too, is under fire for possibly causing prolonged suffering to the animals. Cross referenced the last FWC-authorized bear hunt in October 2015, which, while intended to manage bear populations, resulted in the deaths of 36 lactating females and left behind orphaned cubs. The hunt, capped at two days, led to 295 bears being taken out of an authorized 320, with a significant percentage being females.

Rethinking Bear Management

The FWC justifies the proposed hunt as a necessary measure to control Florida’s black bear population, estimated at over 4,000. The commission argues that while there is enough suitable habitat presently, unchecked growth could lead to habitat shortages. However, Cross contests this, asserting that the rising occurrences of bear/human interactions stem mainly from factors such as habitat encroachment and ineffective waste management by humans, rather than an overpopulation of bears. She advocates for alternative solutions focused on reducing the factors that attract bears to urban environments, rather than resorting to hunting as a primary management strategy.

According to myfwc.com, the FWC has already approved proposed amendments for regulated black bear hunting after a public meeting where opinions were voiced. A vote by FWC Commissioners favored the proposed regulations 4 to 1, with a final hearing scheduled for the August 2025 Commission meeting. If greenlit, these changes will take effect during the upcoming 2025-26 hunting season.

Understanding the Context

The complex regulations surrounding Florida’s black bear population stem from its tumultuous history. Once nearing extinction, black bears were taken off the threatened species list in 2012, enabling regulated hunting. However, no bear hunting season has been held since the controversial 2015 hunt. As highlighted by legalclarity.org, the FWC establishes rules governing hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods based on scientific data, aiming to balance conservation with recreational hunting.

Yet, the gravity of illegal hunting cannot be overlooked. Violations related to black bear hunting can result in hefty penalties, including fines reaching up to $5,000 for first offenses, alongside potential imprisonment. Florida statutes rigorously govern wildlife management, with permits required for legal hunting and restrictions on baiting and trapping bears.

Cross’s urgent call to action encapsulates the public’s sentiment against the proposed hunt. As she urges the FWC to reconsider its vision for wildlife conservation, questions linger about the best path forward for managing Florida’s black bear population. It appears that the consequences of this debate will extend far beyond the confines of the proposed hunt, influencing conservation policies and the relationship between humans and wildlife for years to come.