Recently, in the face of strong public opposition—and despite only five commissioners being present—the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) snuck a vote approving a black bear hunt for the first time since 2015.

Despite the fact that the FWC’s ongoing bear population study won’t be completed until 2029-2030, Florida’s black bears are under siege. Sometimes, trophy hunts don’t even attempt to masquerade. Without data to support any “wildlife management” arguments, this hunt caters to none other than the fearmongers and blood thirsty.

The very agency charged with safeguarding Florida’s wildlife—for all of Florida—will be unleashing 178 lottery “winners” on an unknown number of bears this December. For context, there’s just one hunter per 100 Florida residents.

While there is no data supporting this hunt, human-bear interactions have been in the Florida spotlight recently. Particularly, interactions provoked by mismanaged garbage and unsecure food sources. Bears are curious, and if we leave the welcome mat out for them, they’re keen to take us up on that invitation.

A real “management plan” would address these conflicts at their source—human behavior.

There’s still time to agitate before they take to the woods. You can contact the commission by using this link. And Florida members: please contact your representatives and let them know that you resent this plan and any future bear hunts.