Florida Black Bears Ursus americanus floridanus MyFWC
North th 500 00 Wes est Cen entral al Panhandl Pan dle e 1,20 1,200 120 20 East Panhan Pan andl dle e South th 1,060 1,06 Cen entral Big ig B Ben end d 100 00 30 30 South th 1,04 1,040 4,05 050 0 Statewid ide Cent ntered red on Pub ublic c Lands nds
Males vs. Females ▪ 125 -250lbs (400 lbs) ▪ 250-450lbs (760 lbs) ▪ 15 sq. miles ▪ 62 sq. miles ▪ More secretive/careful ▪ More risk-taking Female Male 150 lbs 350 lbs MyFWC
Breeding ▪ June to July ▪ Delayed Implantation BBCC ▪ Born in February in den MyFWC
Cubs ▪ 12 oz at birth ▪ 1-5/litter (average = 2-3) ▪ 5 lbs. by April ▪ Mobile ▪ Stay with adult female 1.5 years MyFWC
Diet Plants nts 80% 80% Meat Insects cts 4% 4% 16% MyFWC
Behavior
Avoidance ▪ 90% of time ▪ Runs ▪ Hides ▪ Climbs Suzanne Giovanetti MyFWC
Curiosity ▪ Stands upright ▪ Ears/nose high ▪ Better to see/smell ▪ NOT aggressive MyFWC
MyFWC Video by Dean Weber
Defensive/Warning ▪ Like a Rattlesnake ▪ Personal space ▪ We can de-escalate MyFWC
Defensive/Warning Jaw popping Ground stomp Bluff charge Huff Ears pinned back MyFWC
How to ‘Scare That Bear’ ▪ Human Dominance ▪ Pots and pans ▪ Motion Light/Alarm ▪ Motion Sprinklers ▪ Bear Spray ▪ Paintballs ▪ Slingshot ▪ Air Horns ▪ Firecrackers MyFWC
Bear Spray ▪ Easily accessible ▪ Aim just below bear’s face ▪ 2-3 second bursts ▪ 25 feet ▪ More effective than a gun ▪ Wind Direction
Bear Encounter vs. Bear Attack DO NOT RUN or PLAY DEAD! 15 people have been injured by bears in Florida ▪ Back away slowly ▪ Talk quietly ▪ Fight back MyFWC
Human Influence 20 million residents + 113 million visitors/yr ▪ Habituation - accustomed to people ▪ Food Conditioned - associates people with food ▪ Food Conditioned & Habituated - strong association & not afraid to approach MyFWC
Commercial Garbage ▪ Switch out plastic doors with steel doors ▪ Clip on side MyFWC
Residential Garbage ▪ Secure in building until morning pickup ▪ Retrofit cans ▪ Build caddy ▪ Buy bear-resistant cans Bear resistant containers and plans for building at: MyFWC.com/Bear MyFWC
Gardens, Livestock, and Beeyards “How - To” video available on YouTube.com/ MyFWCvideos MyFWC
Bird Feeders MyFWC
FWC Policy Technical assistance via the phone ▪ Emphasis on personal responsibility ▪ Secure attractants because ▪ anoth ther er bear r WILL visit Wh Why No Not Trap ap and nd Reloc ocat ate? e? Moving problem to new area ▪ 50% Repeat Offense ▪ 70% Return or Wander ▪ No remote/empty areas left ▪ MyFWC
Feeding Bears is Illegal ▪ 68A 68A-4.001 4.001 “(a) Intentionally feeding bears is prohibited except as provided for in this Title. (b) Placing food or garbage, allowing the placement of food or garbage, or offering food or garbage that attracts bears and is likely to create or creates a nuisance is prohibited after receiving prior written notification from the Commission.” Terry DeBruyn MyFWC
Scare and Secure ▪ Takes time to learn attractants secure ▪ Will return periodically to check…be vigilant! ▪ “Scare that Bear” ▪ Only need to slip up once MyFWC
Questions? “A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear” MyFWC
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