Florida black bears: 10 tips to coexist and what to do if you see oneTimothy O'Hara, Treasure
Bears have long been part of Florida's ecosystem, and there are easy ways people and the animals can coexist peacefully, even if the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opened them to hunting in 2025 after a decade-long hiatus.
Conservationists say the bear hunt isn't the way to control the population, which is about 4,050 across the state. They can coexist with Florida's 23 milli, even as explosive development into wildlife habitat continues to increase encounters, they say.
The key is not attracting bears with an easy meal, which accounts for most encounters, according to FWC's BearWise educational campaign. Its website urges people to:
10 tips: How to coexist with bears without killing them
Secure household garbage in a sturdy shed, garage or wildlife-resistant container.
Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
Protect gardens, bee yards, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
Encourage your HOA or local government to enact rules and ordinances requiring trash be secured.
Feed pets indoors or bring their dishes inside after feeding.
Be aware when walking your dog and use a non-retractable leash.
Clean grills and store them in a secure place.
Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
Remove bird and other wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
What to do if you see black bear
When hiking, clap your hands, shout or use a loud noise to let bears know you are present. Most bears will retreat when they realize a human is nearby. But if you do encounter a bear, according to FWC, you should:
Remain calm and do not run.
Speak in a calm, firm voice while slowly back away and keeping the bear in sight.
Do not approach. Give a bear plenty of space.
Never attempt to feed it.
Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's St. Lucie watchdog, environment and fisheries reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida black bears: 10 tips to coexist and what to do if you see one
Source: Nature
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