Recently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received a request for a bear hunt later this year. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida claim that black bears keep terrorizing residents.
Marion Hammer, the NRA’s powerful Tallahassee lobbyist, wrote a letter in which he asks for a second black bear hunt in the state. In his writing, Hammer exposes that bear continues to frighten homeowners and that it is impossible for children to go outside for a recreational time. The letter was sent to FWC on Tuesday.
Also, Hammer pointed out about the law efficacity of commission’s programs to separate humans and bears. He said that while FWC is running programs to educate people about securing trash and moving black bears from residential areas, hunt must should be considered because of its efficacy while eradicating bears and the danger they represent for humans.
Last year, in October, the first bear hunt took place in the state. It was scheduled for seven days. However, hunters killed 304 bears in just two. The state agency put a limit of 320 bears for the entire week of the hunt, and hunters almost reached the ceiling during the very first two days.
The National Rifle Association have exposed their concerns about the danger of black bears for residents, and they have also notified state authorities about the quick increase in bear population. In the letter presented to the FWC, Hammer also notes that black bears are a potential risk not just for human life, but also for pets and property. Apparently, when trying to look for food, bears cause damages in people’s houses and neighborhood.
Hammer also suggested that because of the average of dead bears due to collisions cars. It seems like the number of bears population has enormously increased recently, and it might exceed the amount of black bears estimated by official statistics.
Commissioners from the FWC have not made a decision about a second hunt. They are holding staff recommendations before meeting next June 22, in the Franklin County community of Eastpoint.
Animal rights’ activists opposed
Environmentalists and animal rights’ activists consider bear hunting as cruel and unnecessary. Due to the reasons proposed by those who claim for a second black bear hunting in Florida, animal rights activist oppose to this event because they argue it is not even a scientific way to keep bears and humans apart. They say that there are less extreme ways to protect humans as well as black bear populations.
Animal rights’ activists also stated that some programs and techniques should be considered before making a decision about carrying out another bears slaughter. Those programs may include people’s education about proper ways to collect and save their trash or about the habit of using tightly sealed garbage containers.
Source: CBS Miami