The Louisiana black bear, a symbol of resilience and ecological balance, faces an imminent threat. With an estimated population of just 1,200 bears, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has proposed a hunting season starting in December 2024.

This move endangers the fragile bear population and ignores the success of more humane and effective conservation strategies¹.

The Threat to Louisiana Black Bears

Historically, the Louisiana black bear roamed across Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas. By the mid-20th century, habitat destruction and hunting reduced their numbers drastically². In 1992, the bear was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which helped stabilize its population³. However, in 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service controversially delisted the bear, claiming recovery despite ongoing threats and insufficient evidence⁴.

Legal and Conservation Efforts

Multiple conservation groups, including Atchafalaya Basinkeeper (ABK), have filed lawsuits challenging the USFWS's decision. These lawsuits argue that the bear's population and habitat have not recovered sufficiently to justify removing federal protections⁵. The plaintiffs assert that the delisting was premature and violated federal law by ignoring critical scientific data on habitat connectivity and long-term survival¹.

The proposed hunt further complicates the situation. Conservationists argue that this move is not backed by adequate scientific data and could jeopardize the bear population. The lack of recent and reliable monitoring data, with the last comprehensive study conducted in 2021, underscores the risks³.

Why the Hunt is a Bad Idea

Proponents of the hunt claim that the bear population has recovered sufficiently to sustain a controlled hunt. They estimate the current population to be around 1,200 bears, primarily in the northeastern corner of the state⁴. They argue that regulated hunting can help manage the population and reduce human-bear conflicts, which have reportedly increased in recent years³.

However, opponents highlight that these population estimates are outdated and overly optimistic. The bear's habitat remains fragmented, and illegal poaching continues to pose a significant threat. Even a small number of legally hunted bears could have a devastating impact on the species' long-term survival⁵.

The BearWise Solution

Florida’s BearWise Plan offers a more humane and effective approach. This program educates residents on reducing encounters with bears by securing garbage, removing bird feeders, and implementing other preventive measures. Communities adopting BearWise practices have significantly reduced human-bear conflicts⁶. Louisiana can and should follow Florida's lead to ensure both human and bear populations coexist peacefully.

Act Now to Protect Our Bears

We must act swiftly to protect the Louisiana black bear from an unnecessary and potentially devastating hunt. Educating residents and implementing preventive measures will create a safer environment for both humans and bears. By promoting coexistence, we foster respect and stewardship for our natural world.

Join us in urging the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ban the proposed hunt. Sign the petition now to protect our bears and ensure a better future for all.

More on this issue:

1. Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, "The Battle for our Louisiana Black Bear."
2. Jaclyn Lopez, The Center for Biological Diversity (20 May 2015), "Louisiana Black Bear Saved by Endangered Species Act."
3. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life (12 April 2024), "Louisiana Establishes Its First Black Bear Hunting Season Since 1987."
4. Associated Press, US News (17 January 2024), "Louisiana Looks to Revive Black Bear Hunting for 1st Time in Decades, but There's Pushback."
5. Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, "Save the Louisiana Black Bear."
6. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (1999), "BearWise."