FWC outlines bear biology, conflict response as Walton County sees hundreds of reports

Cheryl Spencer, North Regional Bear Coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Bear Management Program, addressed the Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board on bear biology and human-bear conflict response.

Spencer said black bears are native to Florida and that population estimates are updated every 10 years using hair-snag genetic sampling. “We estimate the West Panhandle population at about 120 bears,” she said, and asked residents to expect bears when living in denser bear-range areas. She told the board that the FWC receives about 6,500 bear-related calls per year statewide and that Walton County typically reports about 220–229 calls, many linked to short-term vacation rentals and unsecured garbage.

Spencer described typical call categories (non-core sightings versus core complaints such as trash access, property damage, injured bears or pet conflicts) and summarized FWC’s response protocol: calls routed through regional dispatch, an on-call biologist on weekends, and options that include site visits, trapping, hazing, and targeted outreach. She said the agency documents openings and closures of managed outfalls and coordinates with law enforcement on enforcement steps.

On human behavior and enforcement, Spencer warned that intentionally or repeatedly providing access to food after being warned can trigger the state’s feeding rule and, in severe cases, citations; she described the enforcement progression from a notice of noncompliance to potential citation. She urged residents to secure attractants, report incidents to the regional office or 24-hour law enforcement dispatch, and contact FWC if they see persistent problems. “We want people to call us when they’re having issues,” she said.

Spencer also reviewed FWC programs that help communities buy or retrofit bear-resistant equipment using cost-share funds (often from the Conserve Wildlife specialty tag), and described how targeted neighborhood efforts can substantially reduce conflicts. She closed by summarizing hazing techniques and safety tips for residents who encounter bears, and invited local law enforcement and property managers to request training and outreach from FWC.

The presentation included data on vehicle strikes, orphan cub rehabilitation, and the 2025 lottery-based bear hunt (which FWC said raised substantial funds for the State Game Trust Fund), all contextualized by Spencer’s recommendation that reducing food attractants is the primary preventive step. The board followed with questions about trash-collection compatibility with bear-resistant cans and a clarification that recent county trucks will service those containers after written confirmation with waste services.