Florida officials propose bear hunt limit of 320 kills

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - Florida would allow hunters to kill up to a total of 320 bears in October during the state’s first bear hunt season in 20 years, according to a recommendation from the state's wildlife agency presented at a public hearing on Wednesday.

The bear hunt was approved in June by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission over strenuous opposition from animal rights and conservation groups.

About 50 people signed up to speak to the commission about the quota at a public hearing which began late in the afternoon in Fort Lauderdale prior to a vote.

The hunt is scheduled from Oct. 24 through 30, although it will be stopped if the quota is reached early.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/florida-officials-propose-bear-hunt-limit-320-kills-214600691.html

[passiveporcupine]

1. I'm having a hard time believing this, but

The hunt is scheduled from Oct. 24 through 30, although it will be stopped if the quota is reached early.

The bag limit is one bear per hunter.

Where are you going to find that many hunters to kill that many bears in six days?

[pipoman]

2. Florida has what is it? 20 million people?

[passiveporcupine]

3. Yeah...this was posted as if each hunter could kill that many bears

If there is an overpopulation of bears, affecting human habitation, I can understand a bear license quota. But it does not mean each hunter gets to kill that many bears.

Very disturbing OP

[pipoman]

5. No...the 350 is the total for the state

This is how a lot of big game tag drawing systems work....the wildlife authorities decide how many animals to cull and enough permits are issued to result in the proper cull.

[passiveporcupine]

7. I understand that, but that is not the way it comes across in the OP.

Florida would allow hunters to kill up to a total of 320 bears in October

[pipoman]

8. sometimes I read published writings and worry what

Is happening to our language.

[chernabog]

10. They have been selling permits for a long time

Way before they posted any quota. They have sold many permits. I really hope these "hunters" end up shooting each other instead of the Bears.

[pipoman]

15. What are you talking about?

Before any permits are sold a goal number is always set by wildlife managers.

Wondering if you live in an area with a wild bear population, or if this is outsider looking in opinion?

[chernabog]

17. I live in central Florida.

They started selling permits on August 3. They just announced this quota today. People here are so against the hunt that FWC was afraid those against it would try and buy all the permits. They never disclosed how many they were going to issue.

[Recursion]

13. People who hunt bears schedule their vacations around bear seasons

They'll get people from all over the country.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Sad with no good solution

Sometimes populations have to be thinned due to shrinking habitats
or population growth. I'm not sure it's ethical, or necessary - who
determines the quota? Is the state getting license fees? Are the game
officials wildlife conservationists, or hunters, or guides? What do they do with
the carcass? Bear is edible, but can't imagine that's where it winds up.
Whole thing seems a waste.

[jtuck004]

6. We would be a lot better off if we thinned the people instead of the bears.

Speaking of waste.

[pipoman]

9. Start at your house?

[jtuck004]

14. Already did. Unlike many who can't keep their pants on, even though we are no better for it.

All the snarky remarks won't mean much when things get so bad that people die. Not that they mean anything now.

Humanity's own arrogance will provide the perfect solution, I suspect.

[pipoman]

16. Sounds like the makings for a nice gbcw manifesto....

Sounds like a pretty depressing world...

[chernabog]

11. There is seriously no good reason for this hunt

It's for a couple of assholes to get a trophy, plain and simple.

[Recursion]

12. Just to be clear, that's a harvest limit not a bag limit (nt)