EP# 16 Should We Hunt Florida’s Black Bears? What You Need to Know Before the FWC Meeting

12/05/2025 38 min Temporada 1 Episodio 16
EP# 16 Should We Hunt Florida’s Black Bears? What You Need to Know Before the FWC Meeting

Listen "EP# 16 Should We Hunt Florida’s Black Bears? What You Need to Know Before the FWC Meeting"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode, Mae and Kaylee dive into the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting and what it means for the future of Florida’s black bear population. They unpack the complex issues of wildlife management, including bear population estimates, proposed hunting regulations, and the role of public engagement.You’ll hear about:The growing Florida black bear population and how it's being measuredThe FWC’s current management strategies and concerns over potential conflicts of interestProposed regulated bear hunts and the public’s reactionThe importance of habitat preservation alongside population controlHow you can get involved and make your voice heardWhether you’re a conservation advocate or simply curious about Florida’s wildlife, this episode sheds light on the pressing questions around how we manage and protect our wild spaces.🎤 Topics Covered:May FWC Commission meeting detailsPublic participation and oversight challengesCapture-mark-recapture bear population methodsImpacts of human development on wildlifePublic opinion, alternative solutions, and the power of advocacy📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others who care about wildlife conservation in Florida.https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the May Commission Meeting05:06 Public Participation and Meeting Logistics09:58 Concerns About FWC and Bear Management15:03 Future of Florida Black Bears19:51 Bear Population Management Strategies30:02 Research Methods for Bear Population Estimation32:11 Estimating Bear Populations34:14 Community Engagement and Stakeholder Involvement37:36 Regulated Bear Hunts: Purpose and Management40:12 Habitat Preservation vs. Population Control44:27 Hunting Regulations and Permit Management48:03 Concerns and Questions from the Public51:30 Exploring Alternative Population Control Methods53:29 Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement Challenges55:30 Final Thoughts on the Bear Hunt Discussion01:00:46 Looking Ahead: Future Meetings and Community Involvement#Floridablackbear #blackbearhunt #flblackbearhunt2025 #fwc #floridawildlife #floridastateparks #bearmanagement #flblackbearhunt2015Thank you for listening! To learn more about the podcast, join us on Instagram & YouTube. https://www.instagram.com/ourfloridapodcast https://www.youtube.com/@ourfloridapodcast If you have any recommendations or Florida Experiences you'd like to share, email us at [email protected]