Florida bear population just recovering

On June 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will vote on a proposal to open a hunting season on Florida black bears. Just three years ago, the bears were removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.

Just as the species is recovering, the state wants to kill bears? This makes little sense. As a veterinarian with over 40 years of experience in wildlife medicine and rehab, and who believes in responsible wildlife management, I am surprised that the state would make such a proposal without knowing how many Florida black bears now exist in Florida. The last statewide count was 13 years ago.

The commission should vote this proposal down.

Jan Bellows, Weston