In this episode, Mae and Kaylee dive into the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting and what it means for the future of Florida’s black bear population. They unpack the complex issues of wildlife management, including bear population estimates, proposed hunting regulations, and the role of public engagement.

You’ll hear about:

The growing Florida black bear population and how it's being measured

The FWC’s current management strategies and concerns over potential conflicts of interest

Proposed regulated bear hunts and the public’s reaction

The importance of habitat preservation alongside population control

How you can get involved and make your voice heard

Whether you’re a conservation advocate or simply curious about Florida’s wildlife, this episode sheds light on the pressing questions around how we manage and protect our wild spaces.

🎤 Topics Covered:

May FWC Commission meeting details

Public participation and oversight challenges

Capture-mark-recapture bear population methods

Impacts of human development on wildlife

Public opinion, alternative solutions, and the power of advocacy

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others who care about wildlife conservation in Florida.

https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the May Commission Meeting
05:06 Public Participation and Meeting Logistics
09:58 Concerns About FWC and Bear Management
15:03 Future of Florida Black Bears
19:51 Bear Population Management Strategies
30:02 Research Methods for Bear Population Estimation
32:11 Estimating Bear Populations
34:14 Community Engagement and Stakeholder Involvement
37:36 Regulated Bear Hunts: Purpose and Management
40:12 Habitat Preservation vs. Population Control
44:27 Hunting Regulations and Permit Management
48:03 Concerns and Questions from the Public
51:30 Exploring Alternative Population Control Methods
53:29 Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement Challenges
55:30 Final Thoughts on the Bear Hunt Discussion
01:00:46 Looking Ahead: Future Meetings and Community Involvement

#Floridablackbear #blackbearhunt #flblackbearhunt2025 #fwc #floridawildlife #floridastateparks #bearmanagement #flblackbearhunt2015

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https://www.instagram.com/ourfloridapodcast

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If you have any recommendations or Florida Experiences you'd like to share, email us at ourfloridapodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of the Florida Wildlife Podcast, hosts Mae and Kaylee delve into the fascinating world of the Florida Black Bear, discussing its unique characteristics, breeding and hibernation patterns, diet, and habitat. They also explore the controversial 2015 bear hunt that lasted only 48 hours due to the high number of bears killed, raising questions about wildlife management and conservation efforts in Florida. The conversation highlights the complexities of balancing wildlife populations with human interactions and the ongoing challenges faced by the Florida Black Bear.

Episode Timestamps:

📍00:00 Introduction to Florida's Wildlife Podcast

📍02:20 Exploring the Florida Black Bear

📍22:29 The 2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt and Its Impact

📍27:11 Understanding Bear Population Management

📍30:28 The Economics of Bear Hunting

📍32:31 Regional Breakdown of Bear Harvests

📍37:34 Hunting Regulations and Their Impact

📍42:44 Public Sentiment and Controversy

📍48:38 Future of Bear Management and Conservation

Resources & Links:

🔹FWC April 2nd Virtual Public Meeting 2025

🔹FWC April 3rd Virtual Public Meeting 2025

🔹FWC April 5th Virtual Public Meeting 2025

🔹FWC Email Subscription Updates and Alerts

🔹FWC Black Bear Biology

🔹2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt Summary Report

🔹FWC Estimating Bear Abundance

🔹FWC Draft May Meeting

Thank you for listening! To learn more about the podcast, join us on Instagram & YouTube.

https://www.instagram.com/ourfloridapodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@ourfloridapodcast

If you have any recommendations or Florida Experiences you'd like to share, email us at ourfloridapodcast@gmail.com

This episode explores the phenomenon of red tide in Florida, discussing its causes, effects on marine life, historical context, and the ongoing scientific research aimed at understanding and mitigating its impact. The hosts delve into the natural occurrence of red tide, its correlation with human activities, and the importance of public awareness and policy in addressing this environmental issue.

Episode Timestamps:

📍00:00 Introduction to Florida's Wildlife and Ecosystems

📍00:22 Understanding Red Tide: Causes and Effects

📍02:45 The Impact of Red Tide on Marine Life

📍06:00 Human Health and Red Tide: Risks and Precautions

📍09:02 Historical Context of Red Tide in Florida

📍11:30 The Science Behind Red Tide: Myths and Facts

📍15:25 The History of Red Tide Events

📍19:42 Scientific Theories and Research on Red Tide

📍21:34 Economic Impact and Policy Responses

📍27:29 Current Solutions and Future Directions

Resources & Links:

🔹Red Tide FWC Current Status

🔹NOAA What is Red Tide?

🔹Visit Florida Red Info/Questions

🔹Save The Manatee: Red Tide

🔹Water Quality: Red Tide

🔹Red Tide in Florida and Texas

🔹Red Tide Timeline

🔹Clay Red Tide Treatment

Thank you for listening! To learn more about the podcast, join us on Instagram & YouTube.

https://www.instagram.com/ourfloridapodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@ourfloridapodcast

If you have any recommendations or Florida Experiences you'd like to share, email us at ourfloridapodcast@gmail.com