As Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prepares to finalize plans for what would be the state's first black bear hunt in two decades, animal rights activists are calling on Gov. Rick Scott to step in.

The group is in Tallahassee asking Scott to put the brakes on the hunt, which was given preliminary approval by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission earlier this year.

At a press conference Wednesday, a coalition of activists led by Humane Society Southern Regional Director Laura Bevan pleaded with Scott to lean on the FWC commissioners he's appointed to reconsider their support for the fall hunt, in which as many as 200 black bears could be killed.

If the hunt — which was brought about by a string of bear attacks — goes forward, it will be the first open season on bears in more than 20 years.

The hunt would be open for seven days in October. Fish and Wildlife staff will bring back final rules to the commission later this month for approval.

"The problem is the bears that are in the garbage, in our neighborhoods, that are the threat," Bevan said. "It's not the bears that are in the woods. While we're taking our time and wasting time talking about a trophy hunt of bears, we are not fixing the actual problem that exists."

Bevan said the solution to the growing suburban bear problem is as simple as requiring bear-proof garbage cans anywhere bears have been spotted.

However, the FWC on Wednesday released data indicating the problem may be bigger than originally thought. In some areas of the state, populations of black bears - listed as an 'imperiled species' just 21 years ago - are judged to have doubled since 2002.

In April 2014, a Longwood woman was attacked by a bear as she walked near Markham Road and Brackenhurst Place in Longwood — four months after another Longwood woman was attacked while walking her dogs in her neighborhood off Markham Woods Road.

In December 2014, a woman walking her dog along Sherbourne Circle in Heathrow was bitten on the arm by a bear.

Earlier this year, a Longwood family says a bear killed their dog behind their home on Glen Ethel Lane.

"Have you had personal interactions with bears that have caused you financial (problems)?" Florida Small County Coalition Chair Chris Doolin asked FWC commissioners at the April meeting. "Have you been in to the woods, dragging your bear-proof can back, wondering if the cub or the bear is right next to you when you go get your garbage can? It's not a pleasant experience and I don't relish it."

In a statement, Gov. Scott's office says he trusts the FWC to "make the right decision to keep families safe."

The commission will vote on the bear hunt plan June 24 in Sarasota.

In the rules proposed by the wildlife agency staff, each hunter would be permitted to bag one bear per hunting season. Florida hunters would pay $100 for a permit, and out-of-state hunters would pay $300.

The FWC said it would set a number of bears that could be killed determined by regions. In the central region, which includes most of Central Florida, that number is 60. When they get to that number, whether it's on the first day of the season or the last, officials would close the hunt.

———————————————

Human-bear conflicts in Florida

Florida Fish and Wildlife said a bear threatening a human is rare.

From 1980 to 2012, only 1 percent of bear encounters involved a bear threatening a human.

Most of the encounters involving seeing a bear in the area, in a yard or in a tree (38 percent), or seeing a bear rummaging in the garbage (31 percent).

According to FWC, Lake, Marion, Seminole and Volusia counties make up the majority of the calls regarding black bear sightings. The Ocala National Forest, a major bear habitat, spreads out into all over those counties.

———————————————

What to do if you encounter a bear

If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright, back up slowly and speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice.
 
Do NOT feed or intentionally attract bears. If a bear eats something on your property, take note of what it is and secure  it once the bear leaves.
 
NEVER approach or surprise a bear. If you see a bear from a distance, enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear. If you are close, do not make any sudden or abrupt movements. Back way slowly and be sure the bear has an obvious escape route.
 
If you are in your yard:

  • Make sure that you are in a safe area and that the bear has a clear escape route. Then, make noise or bang pots and pans to scare the bear away.
  • Do NOT turn your back, play dead, climb a tree or run. Back away slowly into the house or secure area.
  • Avoid direct eye contact. Bears and many other animals may view this as aggressive behavior.
  • Report any bear that is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage to the FWC.

———————————————

How to keep bears away from your home

  • Secure household garbage in a shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
  • Put household garbage out on morning of pickup rather than the night before.
  • Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
  • Protect gardens, apiaries, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
  • Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods that attract wildlife secure.
  • Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.
  • Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place.
  • Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
  • Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground. Bears love fruit!
  • Screened enclosures are not secure and will not keep out bears.