ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s first bear hunting season in 21 years begins Saturday.
Protesters who oppose the hunt rallied Friday morning at Lake Eola Park.
A group called Speak up Wekiva sued to stop the bear hunt, but a judge sided with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission earlier this month.
Raw: Bear hunt protesters
"I think this is barbaric," said Jane Velez-Mitchell, an animal-rights activist. "It's absolutely heartbreaking, and I can't believe this is happening in the 21st century."
Almost 3,000 people have bought bear hunting licenses, but only 320 of the state’s estimated 3,500 Florida black bears can be killed during the weeklong season.
Those odds caused one experienced bear hunter to back out.
Mark, who asked that his last name be withheld, is an avid hunter who purchased a bear hunting license in August.
The 51-year-old, who first took up the sport at age 3, hunts deer, alligator, fowl and wild boar.
“I was looking forward to having it closer to home and legalized again, and just getting out there and hunting the bear,” he said.
But upon learning of the season’s brief duration and its low quota, Mark’s anticipation quickly changed.
He requested a refund for his $100 license from FWC, and the agency granted his request.
The FWC said the quota is low because the hunt is intended to stabilize the state's growing bear population.
Hunters are required to register bears they kill at one of 33 statewide check-in stations within 12 hours of recovery, wildlife officials said.
The use of hunting dogs and bait is forbidden.
Hunting licenses can be purchased until midnight Friday.
A final effort to stop the hunt ended Friday night when the First District Court of Appeal denied a group's request for emergency relief.
WFTV
