Florida’s New Bear Shooting Law and Other Legislation Signed by Gov. DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a contentious bill, HB 87, allowing Floridians to shoot bears if they perceive them as threats to their families, pets, or homes. This legislation has sparked significant opposition from environmental groups and their supporters. Despite numerous pleas for a veto, DeSantis proceeded with the bill without public comment.

Key Provisions and Reactions

The bill specifies that individuals must report the shooting of a bear to state wildlife officials within 24 hours and are prohibited from retaining any part of the bear. The law requires the shooter to reasonably believe there was an imminent threat of death or serious injury to a person or pet or substantial damage to property. Additionally, shooters cannot lure bears with bait or intentionally place themselves or pets in harm’s way.

Opponents, such as Elizabeth Fleming from Defenders of Wildlife, express concerns about the potential for increased bear killings and the likelihood of legal challenges. Chuck O’Neal, a bear hunting opponent, fears that the law’s vagueness could lead to indiscriminate killings of bears.

Supporters argue that the law provides necessary protection, particularly in rural North Florida, where bear encounters have been problematic. Lane Stephens, a hunting advocate, believes the bill assures residents they can defend themselves without fear of arrest.

Additional Legislation

Alongside HB 87, DeSantis signed several other bills:

SB 7014: This ethics law revision package limits ethics investigations to those initiated by individuals with personal knowledge of an issue, preventing local and state officials from acting based on media reports alone. The bill, which critics argue weakens ethics laws, also restricts Florida Commission on Ethics members to two full terms and adjusts attorney rules and fees in ethics cases.

HB 21: Establishes a compensation program for victims of abuse at the Dozier School for Boys and the Okeechobee School, effective July 1.

HB 23: Provides a public record exemption for individuals seeking compensation through the HB 21 program, also effective July 1.

Critics, including the Humane Society of the United States, argue that HB 87 increases risks to public safety and undermines responsible wildlife management. Meanwhile, supporters maintain that the new law and ethics reforms offer necessary protections and improvements to Florida’s legal framework.