Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2016

A former officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who says he was fired for reporting wrongdoing in the department is asking for his job back. Travis Hooker, who was a lieutenant in the FWC’s law enforcement division, filed a “petition for temporary reinstatement” this week while his state whistleblower’s case is pending, Leon County court records show. Hooker […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2015

The head of the Florida House of Representatives’ Democrats has filed legislation to protect the state’s black bears in the wake of a contentious state hunt. State Rep. Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach submitted the bill (HB 1055) on Tuesday. Pafford leads the chamber’s 39 Democrats. His bill, the “Florida Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act,” would find […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2015

I was doing research about Florida’s astonishingly efficient bear hunt and I came across an equally astonishing analogy. The chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wrote this about hunting: “Think of it as nature’s Whole Foods.” In fairness to Brian Yablonski, here’s that nugget in context: “Hunting is the first and original […]

Guest AuthorNovember 3, 2015

I was doing research about Florida’s astonishingly efficient bear hunt and I came across an equally astonishing analogy. The chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wrote this about hunting: “Think of it as nature’s Whole Foods.” In fairness to Brian Yablonski, here’s that nugget in context: “Hunting is the first and original […]

Diane RobertsOctober 29, 2015

LBJ declared the War on Poverty; the GOP waged a War on Women; the state of Florida has never ceased its War on Nature. The latest front: Bears! How often have you come home from a hard day of flipping carcino-burgers at the local McWendyking’s, slaving away at the phosphate plant or working at the […]

Diane RobertsOctober 28, 2015

LBJ declared the War on Poverty; the GOP waged a War on Women; the state of Florida has never ceased its War on Nature. The latest front: Bears! How often have you come home from a hard day of flipping carcino-burgers at the local McWendyking’s, slaving away at the phosphate plant or working at the […]

Guest AuthorOctober 25, 2015

It’s already been a sad week for black bears in Florida. On Saturday, the first day of the big Florida black bear hunt, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stopped the hunting in Central Florida after 99 bears were killed, just one under the quota for that region’s weeklong season. Statewide, 207 bears were […]

Associated PressOctober 25, 2015

Florida wildlife officials closed two regions after the first day of bear hunting after the areas met the limit on the number of bears allowed to be killed during the first statewide hunt in more than 20 years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the east Panhandle and central Florida region after 99 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 23, 2015

Dear Bear Hunters, It’s strange to me that you consider killing living things a sport. That you smile over the carcass of a once-living thing and revel in your kill both shocks and offends me. Killing animals for food is one thing – cows are cute, but I love me some steak – but to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 23, 2015

Dear Bear Hunters, It’s strange to me that you consider killing living things a sport. That you smile over the carcass of a once-living thing and revel in your kill both shocks and offends me. Killing animals for food is one thing – cows are cute, but I love me some steak – but to […]

Tag: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Fired FWC whistleblower seeks job back

Mark Pafford files black bear legislation

Tom O’Hara: They don’t sell bear meat at Whole Foods

Tom O’Hara: They don’t sell bear meat at Whole Foods

Diane Roberts: Watch out, you bears, and hold your water

Diane Roberts: Watch out, you bears, and hold your water

Michael Sainato: Black bears, good science on losing end as hunt begins

Officials lean toward shutting down controversial bear hunt

Janelle Irwin: An open letter to the 3,200 people hoping to kill bears over the next week

An open letter to the 3,200 people hoping to kill bears over the next week