A new bill in Florida may soon give residents the right to defend themselves against bears that pose a threat on their property. The measure, approved in its final House committee stop on Tuesday, would allow individuals without a hunting permit to use fatal force against a bear that is threatening a human, a pet, or a home. This legislation was introduced in response to an increasing number of encounters between people and bears in the state.
Republican Rep. Jason Shoaf, the sponsor of the bill, emphasized the potentially dangerous nature of bear encounters. He painted a vivid picture, stating, 'If you hear your door kicked in in the middle of the night, hear something rummaging around in your kitchen, there's this huge black bear destroying it, digging through your refrigerator, putting you and your children and your pets at risk. Today, you can't shoot that bear. You have to sit there and blow a whistle and hope you have some bear mace ... and pray.'
The House Infrastructure Strategies Committee approved the bill with a 16-9 vote. A similar bill in the Senate has also passed through two committees and awaits one more before being considered by the full chamber. If the bill becomes law, individuals who kill a threatening bear would need to report the incident to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours. Additionally, they would be prohibited from keeping or selling any meat or parts of the bear.
While concerns about bear encounters are acknowledged, opponents of the bill argue that the Florida black bear is generally a shy creature and unprovoked attacks are rare, with fatal attacks being even rarer. These opponents suggest that instead of making it easier to kill bears, the state should focus on better educating residents on how to avoid attracting them.
Democratic Rep. Mike Gottlieb contended that people are statistically far more likely to be killed by alligators, dogs, or bees. He expressed doubts about the necessity of rushing into a solution that involves killing bears out of fear, stating, 'We need a different solution.'
On the other hand, Republican Rep. Cyndi Stevenson argued that she would defend herself regardless of the intruder, whether it be a man, bear, or raccoon, as it poses a threat to her life and property.
Florida's bear population has significantly rebounded over the years, recovering from a low of about 300 bears in the 1970s. In 2015, the state permitted a limited bear hunt when the population was estimated to be around 3,500. The decision was met with enthusiasm from hunters, with over 3,200 purchasing permits to participate in the hunt.
However, the hunt drew criticism from bear lovers and animal advocates, leading to its premature end after just two days. A total of 304 bears were killed during that time. Since then, the state has refrained from holding additional bear hunts.
As the debate over this new bill continues, the future of bear-human encounters in Florida remains uncertain. While supporters argue that the legislation is necessary to address safety concerns, opponents believe that alternative measures, such as education and prevention, should be prioritized. Ultimately, finding an effective balance between human safety and wildlife conservation will be key in shaping any legislation regarding bear encounters in the state.
