Orlando- Protest to Stop the Black Bear Trophy Hunt

Join the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and Bear Defenders in Orlando to participate in the statewide protests to raise awareness about the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) proposed black bear trophy hunt. 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.

When: August 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando. Activists will gather on the Roasalind Street side near the theater.

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/.../stop-the-florida-black-bear...](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fp%2Fstop-the-florida-black-bear-trophy-hunt%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExd3h1ZHpXQ0Y4azQ3OHRaUgEe5jwMZx9l8AOTENeEjA6lq4XFTjzQajzniDlhBUZd-nXGS8gDLWPMqw68FR8_aem_etGbRyHaoZq-JDmoRnTYOQ&h=AT2j_AZyzW0mu_BSpARdiNF4U7FFwvXsjiCX2v3EA71XY6hKOFiq71B_vO_FmKuqt8R51bqaRdzgpFYhHL_M4TmKnnqUVfjddquzhPObf-lpYafUJfkyJOtSg1rBPQMla-6TetQ3G-M6tTdm_3vraQ&tn=q&c%5B0%5D=AT3JCwTGnh-ULceaMWNvhDOGQSZIzoSpCsgJRPC09LZTnt-yXh4AsAdU3VUBv768RNdCK0fRx8tZvMInt7jlIILMgn3pWAN6jNexCoedB563jHUsgNg7tplp4pqUGs0jhcDLl3J8wDqqqCwuGzzP-th4dItH4V96qUy0Ow)
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: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
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:

BearComments@MyFWC.com
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:
Rodney.Barreto@MyFWC.com, Steven.Hudson@MyFWC.com, Preston.Farrior@MyFWC.com, Sonya.Rood@MyFWC.com, Albert.Maury@MyFWC.com, Gary.Nicklaus@MyFWC.com, Gary.Lester@MyFWC.com