PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Democrats: Black Bears Need A 10-Year Breather

A two-day hunting season for Florida black bears claimed 304 of the iconic animals. Democratic lawmakers are calling for a 10-year hunting moratorium.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
A two-day hunting season for Florida black bears claimed 304 of the iconic animals. Democratic lawmakers are calling for a 10-year hunting moratorium.

Democratic lawmakers are calling for a 10-year moratorium on black bear hunting in Florida.

A two-day hunting season for Florida black bears claimed 304 of the iconic animals. Democratic lawmakers are calling for a 10-year hunting moratorium.
Credit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
A two-day hunting season for Florida black bears claimed 304 of the iconic animals. Democratic lawmakers are calling for a 10-year hunting moratorium.

A bill by Orlando Sen. Linda Stewart would also funnel $1 million into subsidies for bear-resistant trash containers.

Central Florida wildlife activist Chuck O’Neal says the bill’s restrictions on berry picking and prescribed burns are crucial protections.

“What has happened with these manipulations of the state forests is it’s depriving the black bear of major food sources, which are acorns and saw palmetto berries.”

A highly controversial bear hunt in 2015 claimed 304 of the iconic animals and generated a firestorm of controversy.

Similar legislation failed last year, but O’Neal says sponsors are hoping to reach a compromise with state regulators.

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit .

Jim Ash is a reporter at WFSU-FM. A Miami native, he is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, most of it in print. He has been a member of the Florida Capital Press Corps since 1992.