Protest Location Details: Sarasota Bayfront Park, U.S. 41 & Gulfstream Avenue in front of the Unconditional Surrender statue.
We're once again holding statewide protests against the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) proposed black bear trophy hunt. Protests are scheduled for the weekend before the FWC Commission Meeting, taking place in Havana, Florida, on August 13th and 14th.
A final vote on the bear hunt will be taken at the meeting. It will be held to decide whether to have a bear hunt.
*Signs will be provided. You can also download them from our website, BEARDEFENDERS.ORG, or create your own posters.
CALLS TO ACTION
Sign and share our petition.
Please read the petition to understand what is happening and why we oppose the bear hunt. Then complete the listed calls to action.
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-florida-black-bear-trophy-hunt
Attend the FWC Commission Meeting
A final vote on the hunt will be made at this public meeting. Attending in person sends a strong message that Floridians and allies across the country stand united in opposition to the unnecessary killing of black bears.
Dates: August 13th - 14th, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Arrive at 7:30 am to register to speak).
Location: Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy
75 College Ave., Havana, Florida 32333
Call and Email Governor Ron DeSantis
As the state’s highest executive, Governor DeSantis has the authority to influence FWC policy. Urge him to oppose the hunt and protect Florida’s black bears for future generations.
Phone: (850) 717-9337
Email:
R292ZXJub3JSb24gISBEZXNhbnRpcyB8IGVvZyAhIG15ZmxvcmlkYSAhIGNvbQ==
Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Call and submit your formal opposition to the proposed hunt via the FWC’s designated bear comment email. All emails become part of the public record, so please be respectful and clear in your messaging.
Phone: (850) 488-4676
Suggested Email Subject Line:
I Oppose the Proposed Florida Black Bear Hunt
Bear Comments Email:
QmVhckNvbW1lbnRzIHwgTXlGV0MgISBjb20=
You may simply state:
“I oppose the Florida black bear hunt.”
Or provide a more detailed explanation grounded in science, ethics, and ecological principles.
Email the FWC Commissioners Directly
To ensure decision-makers see your message, contact all seven commissioners directly by copying and pasting the following email addresses into the BCC field of your message:
Um9kbmV5ICEgQmFycmV0byB8IE15RldDICEgY29t,
U3RldmVuICEgSHVkc29uIHwgTXlGV0MgISBjb20=,
UHJlc3RvbiAhIEZhcnJpb3IgfCBNeUZXQyAhIGNvbQ==,
U29ueWEgISBSb29kIHwgTXlGV0MgISBjb20=,
QWxiZXJ0ICEgTWF1cnkgfCBNeUZXQyAhIGNvbQ==,
R2FyeSAhIE5pY2tsYXVzIHwgTXlGV0MgISBjb20=,
R2FyeSAhIExlc3RlciB8IE15RldDICEgY29t
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