Hey did anyone see this? http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/04/14/wildlife-agency-kills-several-bears-after-florida-woman-mauled-outside-home/?intcmp=latestnews
Still another good reason to open up the hunt. Looks like they're getting too comfortable around humans.
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For immediate release: April 14, 2014
Contact: Greg Workman, 352-239-2763
FWC removes another bear from Lake Mary neighborhood
Monday morning the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) captured another bear that approached staff as they were on the scene of a recent bear attack in the Carisbrooke neighborhood of Lake Mary.
Because this bear showed no fear of people, staff determined that it was a threat to public safety and needed to be put down.
“The fact that we have come across so many bears with so little fear of humans indicates that these bears are highly habituated and are regularly receiving food from people,” said Dave Telesco, the FWC’s Bear Program coordinator. “Our staff is dedicated to wildlife conservation. Having to put down these bears is a very difficult decision, but it’s the right decision to ensure public safety. Unfortunately, the saying is true: ‘a fed bear is a dead bear.’”
FWC staff will remain in the area and continue trapping efforts to remove any bears demonstrating this lack of fear. No action will be taken against bears that display normal wild bear behavior and avoid human contact.
The FWC reminds residents in this area to be aware of their surroundings and always supervise pets and children while outdoors. The FWC relies on residents to report threatening bear behavior. Residents should contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report any threatening bear activity.
If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright and speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice. Back up slowly toward a secure area, and be sure you are leaving the bear a clear escape route. Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear. Do not run or play dead. If a black bear attacks you, fight back aggressively.
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This email was sent to smithar@gru.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission • 620 S. Meridian Street • Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 • (850) 488-4676
I recieved this e-mail from FWC Sunday and have been trying to keep up with it a little. I heard that they have killed 5 bears so far that they have caught. I also heard on the news that "the bears are unusually hungry because they are coming out of hibernation this time of the year." Where the hell do these news people think we live the North Pole?
:saluting
There was a bear in a tree in St. Andrews area of Panama City yesterday. They shot him with a tranquilizer, he finally fell out and went through the tarp they had set up to break his fall. News said by this morning he will have been relocated to the woods. This is a regular thing in Panama City. The bears are usually tagged and on several occasions , the same one shows back up, even though he was "relocated" miles away in the Apalachicola National Forest.
Treefarmer
Reports today says that they have killed 7 bears in the area now. Sounds to me like there is no bear shortage.
:saluting
I've talked to FWC biologists. Non-attack nuisance bears that get relocated get a third strike your out policy. They have them come back 50 miles before. Bears are also their #1 complaint animal now.
My guess is limited hunts are not too far off.
