FL Black Bear and Gator hunting hours

[Milan]

Black bear to be removed from Florida endangered species list! (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/blogs/green-south-florida/sfl-black-bear-to-be-removed-from-florida-endangered-species-list-20110608,0,2043746.story)

FWC extends alligator-hunting hours! (http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2011/june/08/gator-hunting-hours/)

[danield33]

Thanks for the links. These are two positives for Florida's sportsmen.

[N. Cook]

The black bear article is a little misleading...maybe a lot misleading!

Five UW-F Members were at the FWC meeting in St. Augustine and we spoke in favor of the FWC Staff proposal to delist the bear....There were the usual suspects speaking against, including the HSUS and Defenders of Wildlife.

Those against continue to use emotional arguments and little science. The best "science" they could come up with was that some bear populations in Florida are "isolated" and these fragments were threatened so that should be enough to keep the bear on the list. (Despite an over population in numerous bear habitats in Florida).

Although any hunting would have to be approved in a lengthly process that would come as part of a Management Plan, the anti hunting sentiment was constently expressed as if hunting would start "tomorrow" if the bear was not kept on the Threatened List...Normal scare tactics from these people.

What was wrong about the article is the indication that this vote in essence "de listed the bear". This vote only told Staff to continue the process and prepare a plan delisting the bear that would be presented at a later meeting for a "up or down" vote...

There will be a lot of "public comment" before that happens...and a lot of silliness from the anti hunting crowd. The meeting when the actual vote to delist is held, probably no sooner than the December FWC meeting, will be theatrics at such a level I could sell tickets for seats.....

Lots of tears, banners, singing, costumes and teddy bears as dozens line up for their "three minutes of fame" decrying the demise of bears in Florida...

Despite the actual fact that the bears are doing so well in Florida they are invading the suburbs in larger numbers every year....

Our main reason for wanting the bear off the Threatened List has nothing to do with hunting bears...it does have a lot to do with deer hunting.

When the FWC passed the new very stringent Rule for Take that applies to Threatened Species last year that took the bear off the "regular" species long standing Rule for Take and specifically added the word "annoy" as a crime (if annoying disrupts feeding, breeding or home). We have never had a problem with "running" bears off deer feeders, or harrassing them away from areas they do not belong..ie your deer camp cabin...with the regular rule for Take....BUT...being under the Threatened Rule for Take opens the door for a lot of problems for anyone that has bears on their property, lease or where they hunt on public land.

Having the bear placed where they belong in the hierachy....not Threatened....will solve that problem. They will still have all the protection of a non hunted species under the standard Rule for Take....

[godvlman]

The black bear article is a little misleading...maybe a lot misleading!

Five UW-F Members were at the FWC meeting in St. Augustine and we spoke in favor of the FWC Staff proposal to delist the bear....There were the usual suspects speaking against, including the HSUS and Defenders of Wildlife.

Those against continue to use emotional arguments and little science. The best "science" they could come up with was that some bear populations in Florida are "isolated" and these fragments were threatened so that should be enough to keep the bear on the list. (Despite an over population in numerous bear habitats in Florida).

Although any hunting would have to be approved in a lengthly process that would come as part of a Management Plan, the anti hunting sentiment was constently expressed as if hunting would start "tomorrow" if the bear was not kept on the Threatened List...Normal scare tactics from these people.

What was wrong about the article is the indication that this vote in essence "de listed the bear". This vote only told Staff to continue the process and prepare a plan delisting the bear that would be presented at a later meeting for a "up or down" vote...

There will be a lot of "public comment" before that happens...and a lot of silliness from the anti hunting crowd. The meeting when the actual vote to delist is held, probably no sooner than the December FWC meeting, will be theatrics at such a level I could sell tickets for seats.....

Lots of tears, banners, singing, costumes and teddy bears as dozens line up for their "three minutes of fame" decrying the demise of bears in Florida...

Despite the actual fact that the bears are doing so well in Florida they are invading the suburbs in larger numbers every year....

Our main reason for wanting the bear off the Threatened List has nothing to do with hunting bears...it does have a lot to do with deer hunting.

When the FWC passed the new very stringent Rule for Take that applies to Threatened Species last year that took the bear off the "regular" species long standing Rule for Take and specifically added the word "annoy" as a crime (if annoying disrupts feeding, breeding or home). We have never had a problem with "running" bears off deer feeders, or harrassing them away from areas they do not belong..ie your deer camp cabin...with the regular rule for Take....BUT...being under the Threatened Rule for Take opens the door for a lot of problems for anyone that has bears on their property, lease or where they hunt on public land.

Having the bear placed where they belong in the hierachy....not Threatened....will solve that problem. They will still have all the protection of a non hunted species under the standard Rule for Take....

I am a little confused here??? I can understand why UW would not take a stance on alligator hunting but now is UW taking a stance on the Black Bear?

Are these 5 members speaking on behalf of themselves or the whole organization? If they are speaking on behalf of themselves that is fine and I dont think that UW should even be mentioned... but to stand up in front of the FWC Staff and elaborate on certain agenda items wearing UW attire or simply changing of a hat is also a conflict of interest to an extent.

I know some will argue this point... but the writing will be on the forum down the road how UW played a leading role in the "Florida Black Bear" from being threatened...

Any insight would be appreciated..Thanks

[N. Cook]

The position UWF took a couple of years ago on the "Imperiled species" issue and presented at numerous meetings involved the Rule for Take which put us in a series of negotiations. Species included ibis sand hill cranes black bear and others. We were in a supportive role on the non waterfowl species with FSCA and simply continued that cooperation over the years. I spoke for the Future of Hunting in Florida as well.

But in any case a UWF Member has every right to speak for expansion of hunting anytime

[brightlights]

According to this article it sounds like we are better off as a whole having the Black Bear on the endangered species list.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/correction-black-bear-endangered-list-1527273.html

[N. Cook]

Read my post on the issue of the Black Bear delisting calling to attention the error before the Palm Beach Post's correction....

We actually attend the meetings and know the facts!

This is an important first step and it will be a loud and interesting path to get the bear off the Threatened list and help insure hunters will not be charged with "annoying" bears during encounters.

[brightlights]

I am not sure what you mean Newton.....If the reporter is correct, the real concern we should have with the Black Bear being delisted, is that it would reclassify alot of land that has been exempt from development.

In my opinion, if the article is correct, there really is nothing to talk about. Environment first.

Otherwise hunters will be able to hunt a few bear for a few years and then loose valuable lands to developers.

[N. Cook]

The hysteria of the anti hunting rhetoric never changes....The same themes are repeated whenever we try to get access to public land, reduce regulations, etc. Development is not stopped by Threaten Species....delayed a little as mitigation is worked out perhaps. Development can be stopped by Endangered Species..ie the Panther...but, even then often deals are arranged.

Maintaining a common species, not in any danger of extinction, on the Lists means a distortion of the meaning of the regulations and a loss of funds for those species really in trouble.

The entire almost three year FWC project (and it will be another three years at least as we go through this process and get the Management Plans completed from which the final decisions will be made!.....I suggest anyone interested make at least one of the Imperialed Species meetings coming up every month or so at the FWC offices on Northlake in WPB, a telecast, or in Tampa, St. Pete, or the main meeting in Tallahassee....you will get an idea of how tedious this work is!!!! Thanks Byron, and sometimes Frank, for being there with us!)