- December 4, 2025
This letter was originally submitted to the Florida Wildlife Commission; the letter writer requested it be printed in the Observer as well.
Dear Commission Members,
On behalf of all animals, and in this case black bears, who have no voice, I would like to ask a question: Why are animals (black bears) being punished because of a problem caused by mankind, which is not very kind if we only look around us?
We humans are taking away the habitat of all wildlife for our own selfish reasons. If we humans treated the world the way animals do (all animals — wildlife, pets, farm, factory farm, etc.) the circumstances of the entire world would be far better than they are now. Just like our medical industry, the approach you are suggesting (killing black bears) is treating the symptom not the cause.
One solution would be to stop the over building of houses, commercial buildings, etc. and stop the destruction of our natural resources — the forests. There are so many houses for sale, empty buildings, empty stores, etc. Why not concentrate on selling the empty or for sale houses and promote the use of the empty stores and commercial buildings rather than building new ones.
Only God can make a tree! I pray for a solution that benefits all wildlife. Please help by rethinking a black bear hunt. Thank you.
Patricia Haines
Palm Coast
