Big Shrek
Marksman
In the pre-1998 days of the Gulf Breeze-Navarre Area, folks would
simply handle the Bear problem quietly...Shoot, Shovel, & Shaddap.
As things grew beyond the quiet little area it was, into a very busy
area with lots of people, it became far more difficult for regular
folks to "Handle it themselves".
However, since it came to FWC's attention that there was still a lot
more Bear Dis-appearances than reported kills, they went with a hunt
so they would actually get data, instead of getting very little data at all.
Auto strikes only account for a few dozen bear deaths in Florida a year.
So when a collared bear goes POOF, they know it either ran into a
python or a peeved off Floridian. If the collar is found in
python poo, they know exactly what happened. If a collar
disappears in an area they just had a few nuisance reports
at, then the reports end...then know what happened there
too, but are unlikely to be able to prove it since the bear's
usually 6'+ under the ground...
All in all, it's better when FWC handles it
They get the data, relocate or finalize the bear, and the tourists are happy!
simply handle the Bear problem quietly...Shoot, Shovel, & Shaddap.
As things grew beyond the quiet little area it was, into a very busy
area with lots of people, it became far more difficult for regular
folks to "Handle it themselves".
However, since it came to FWC's attention that there was still a lot
more Bear Dis-appearances than reported kills, they went with a hunt
so they would actually get data, instead of getting very little data at all.
Auto strikes only account for a few dozen bear deaths in Florida a year.
So when a collared bear goes POOF, they know it either ran into a
python or a peeved off Floridian. If the collar is found in
python poo, they know exactly what happened. If a collar
disappears in an area they just had a few nuisance reports
at, then the reports end...then know what happened there
too, but are unlikely to be able to prove it since the bear's
usually 6'+ under the ground...
All in all, it's better when FWC handles it
They get the data, relocate or finalize the bear, and the tourists are happy!