The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office want residents to know what to do if they see a bear and how to avoid creating problems with one.

“Florida black bears are normally shy creatures that avoid people. Fortunately, the avoidance behavior that bears typically exhibit helps both bears and people coexist without much fanfare,” said Chad Allison, district biologist and bear specialist with the FWC.

Black bears are protected by law in Florida. According to the FWC, the bear population along the west coast, from Hernando County north, is the smallest subpopulation area in the state and most vulnerable to habitat loss – less space in which to forage and roam.

“If you come face to face with a bear, don’t panic, don’t look it in the eye, don’t turn your back and run. Just move away slowly on an angle, making sure that the animal has an escape route. Bears are pretty calm animals and not looking to cause trouble,” Allison added.

Florida black bears are active year-round, opportunistically foraging wherever they can find food.

“However,” Allison warned, “the normal behavior of bears can be short-circuited if people provide these animals with the opportunity to forage in and around their neighborhood.”

When a bear learns there is easy access to food in a human neighborhood, often in unsecured trash, bird feeders or pet food left outside, it is apt to return repeatedly. In fact, once a successful pattern of securing regular meals in a human neighborhood has been established, the bear may learn that humans are not to be feared and that being near them has its rewards.

A bear that chronically returns to homes is not typically relocated because chances are high that the animal will continue to repeat the behavior no matter where it is. Worse, when cubs learn these feeding habits from their mother, they too, sadly, become victims of feeding opportunities they should not have – opportunities that put their lives in danger when human-bear conflicts arise.

The FWC cautions residents to eliminate feeding opportunities by storing garbage in a manner that denies bears access to it, or bears will repeatedly visit that neighborhood to obtain food.

The FWC recommends the following steps to prevent human-bear conflicts:

• Feed your pets indoors, or bring in dishes after feeding.
• Secure household garbage in a shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
• Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
• Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters consisting of metal lids or metal-reinforced plastic lids and lock bars.
• Clean barbecue grills and store them in a locked, secure place.
• Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
• Protect gardens, apiaries, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
• Pick ripe fruit from trees, and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
• Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods secure that would attract wildlife.

Ignoring these recommendations also greatly increases the chances that a bear and/or a motorist will be injured as the animal crosses neighborhood streets, looking for food.

Bears seen foraging in trash, pet food or other attractants, or bears that exhibit other destructive behavior, should be reported immediately to the FWC by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or, during regular working hours, the FWC’s Lakeland Regional office at 863-648-3200.

If you would like more information on avoiding conflicts with bears, visit MyFWC.com/Bear and click on the video titled “Living with Florida Black Bears.”

On Thursday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff recommendations for potential revisions to boating safety zones in Broward and Pinellas counties.

The first proposed change is that, in both counties, the descriptions of some zones would be changed to match the physical locations of regulatory markers, some of which have been in place since 1995.

“These are technical changes to rule language and will include updating rule maps,” said Capt. Richard Moore of the FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “The changes will also relieve the city and county governments from responsibility to maintain the markers for the state-adopted zones, as the FWC will take over maintenance.”

In Broward County, the five affected zones will remain as they have been physically marked since at least 2004. The rule language will be updated to match the current marker locations by extending:

• The southern boundary of the Hillsborough Boulevard Bridge zone by 200 feet.
• The northern boundary of the Hillsborough Inlet zone by 275 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Commercial Boulevard Bridge zone by 100 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Hallandale Beach Boulevard Marina zone by 525 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Hallandale Beach Boulevard Bridge zone by 100 feet.

In Pinellas County, two zones will remain as they have been physically marked since at least 1995, and the rule language will be updated to match the current marker locations by extending:

• The southern boundary of the Park Boulevard Bridge zone by 1,234 feet and the northern boundary of the zone by 550 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Indian Rocks Bridge zone by 1,372 feet and the northern boundary of the zone by 50 feet.

Other changes to Pinellas zones include:

• Revisions to markers and rule language to extend a channel-only zone to a shoreline-to-shoreline slow-speed, minimum-wake zone from Treasure Island to Corey Causeway.
• Changing a current zone to include the entire span of two Pinellas Bayway bridges.
• Expanding channel-only zones to include the entire spans of the Belleair Causeway Bridge and the Honeymoon Island Causeway Bridge.

“The current markers in those other locations are inconsistent with the rule language and are not clear to the public,” Moore said. “Our proposal revises the rule language to create safe boating conditions and areas that can be consistently marked, understood and enforced.”

A related, second change clarifies that shoreline-to-shoreline zones, unless stated otherwise in rule, do not include tributaries, creeks, canals, channels, boat basins, etc., because local governments are authorized by state law to regulate those areas.

“Also, changes in marine infrastructure around the Memorial Causeway Bridge required updates to maintain safe, clearly marked zones,” Moore said. “This required extending the southern boundary of the zone by 500 feet and widening the zone to include all spans of the bridge.”

The final proposed change is the removal of the countywide 30 mph speed restriction for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel in Pinellas County. This was a concern for FWC staff, law enforcement and the public, as it has been neither posted nor enforced since it was put in place in 2000.

“If the ICW speed zone were continued and enforced, we would have two speeds to deal with,” Moore said. “Regulating boat speed within the channel while allowing higher speed travel outside and adjacent to the channel is a potential safety concern.”

The need for all revisions in both counties originated from an FWC review of current state regulations, including boating safety zone boundaries and waterway marker locations.

FWC staff received public support for these proposed changes in both counties, both during public meetings and through electronically submitted commenting. Those providing public comment included other law enforcement personnel, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, marina owners and operators and owners of sail and power boats, both large and small.

The proposals amend Florida Administrative Code rules 68D-24.008 and 68D-24.010 and repeal rule 68D-24.006. Staff will return to the June Commission meeting to present them for final approval. For additional information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating or call 850-488-5600.

Fishery biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are responsible for monitoring more than 7,000 public lakes in Florida. From this unique perspective, state fishery managers are able to draw comparisons among a significant number of water bodies with great bass fisheries, and Lake Gibson’s largemouth fishery might well be among the best.

Though Lake Gibson is on the small side at 480-acres, electrofishing surveys, which stun fish and allow biologists to weigh, measure and release them unharmed, show its bass fishery excels in terms of both number and size. Surveys this year show bass ranging from a few inches – a welcome sign of successful spawning – to 7.7 pounds. Electrofishing catch rates were also very high: an amazing 5.5 fish per minute. A catch rate of one to two fish per minute is considered good.

Several bass over 8 pounds were tagged last year as part of an FWC study evaluating trophy largemouth bass fishing in Florida. One tagged bass weighing 9.5 pounds has already been caught and released in Lake Gibson by a local angler.

In addition to its top-notch bass fishery, Lake Gibson is also home to quality sunfish and catfish populations.

To get to these fish, the Lake Gibson public boat ramp is on the south side of the lake off Socrum Loop Road and Lake Gibson Drive.

If you would like more information on freshwater fishing opportunities, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing or contact the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management in Lakeland at 863-648-3200.

The Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) 10-year draft management plan is the topic of public meetings in Sebring and Bartow hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Each property purchased with public funds must have an individualized plan that ensures the area is managed for the intended purposes when it was bought.

A meeting on May 1 at the Highlands County Government Center, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, begins at 7 p.m.

Another meeting, on May 2 at the Polk County Commission Chambers, 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, also starts at 7 p.m.

After staff presentations, the public is encouraged to comment and ask questions about the specifics in the draft plan.

“The Lake Wales Ridge WEA was purchased to ensure the conservation of fish and wildlife resources, other natural and cultural resources, and for fish- and wildlife-based public recreation. The draft plan specifies how we intend to do that,” said Rebecca Shelton, FWC land conservation biologist.

Shelton added that hunting and fishing regulations are not part of management plan discussions; they will be addressed through a separate public process.

To obtain a copy of the draft land management prospectus for Lake Wales Ridge WEA, please call Rebecca Shelton at 850-487-9982 or David Alden at 850-487-9588, or email Rebecca.Shelton@MyFWC.com.

For background and more information on management plans and their goals, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation and select “Terrestrial Programs.”

“Sand pines tend to crowd out native scrub oak habitat along with other  trees and plants that provide high-quality food and cover for wildlife,” said Bill Parken, FWC Ridge Rangers coordinator. “Your aid in removing these intruding trees helps ensure the health of the unique scrub oak ecosystem, which exists nowhere else on earth except on the ridges of central Florida.

Restoration work will start at 9 a.m. and be completed by 1 p.m. on both days. Admission to the park is free to participants. Volunteers will meet at the Recreation Hall prior to cutting efforts. State park staff will present a free educational program about the park to volunteers after work wraps up.

Volunteers may bring their own hand tools to cut down small sand pines that have intruded into scrub oak habitat, or they may choose to be issued tools on site.

To learn more or sign up for one or both days, please go to MyFWC.com/RidgeRangers and click on “Remove Sand Pine at Highlands Hammock State Park,” or contact Bill Parken at bill.parken@myfwc.com.

Applicants must have a clean criminal history, no fish or wildlife law violations and a valid, working email address. Applicants must reside in Manatee County.

Applications must be received by Monday, April 22.

To learn about the requirements for becoming a nuisance alligator trapper or to apply online, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator and click on “Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program.”

For more information, email FWCGator@MyFWC.com.

Roger Tory Peterson, perhaps the world’s best known bird expert next to John James Audubon, proclaimed Little Estero Island his favorite shorebird viewing area. His observation underscores the importance of the area to imperiled and declining shorebird species that use the southern tip of Fort Myers Beach, and the reason the state has taken proactive measures to protect the shorebirds that nest there.

Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) is one of the few state-owned protected wildlife areas in Lee County that provide nesting habitat for endangered shorebirds and sea turtles. Biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), staff from Lee County and the town of Fort Myers Beach, and volunteers have identified, flagged and posted vulnerable shorebird-nesting areas, typically located in the dry dune areas above the high-tide mark.

The posted areas are off-limits to beachgoers and pets between the time of posting and Aug. 31. The water’s edge is accessible to beachgoers by walking around posted areas or using marked thoroughfares between posted areas. Dogs are prohibited within the CWA, even in areas open to pedestrians.

Nesting areas are posted and closed off by “symbolic fencing,” which consists of signs connected by twine and marked with flagging tape. Closed beach areas may shift during the nesting season, depending on where the birds have chosen to lay eggs at any given time. Shorebirds, marine turtles and their nests and eggs enjoy protection under state and federal law.

Additionally, permanent boundary signs at the CWA have also been installed, which designate the end of private property and the beginning of the state-designated wildlife protection area. Pets are prohibited within the CWA year-round, per city ordinance.

“Folks can still enjoy the beach; we’re just asking beachgoers to avoid a handful of closed areas where birds are nesting,” said Nancy Douglass, wildlife biologist for the FWC.

Human activity causes the greatest number of problems for beach-nesting birds, which get nervous around recreational activities like beach volleyball, kite-surfing or the family pet romping after a windblown Frisbee.

Posting is a necessity to prevent adult birds from being frightened off the nest. Without parents providing shade for their chicks, it takes only a few minutes for temperatures in the nest to rise above 100 degrees, resulting in death of the young. Young chicks and eggs also are a favorite target of crows, raccoons and gulls when parents are not immediately available to challenge hungry predators.

“Without any doubt, it is the public’s sense of stewardship for the birds that’s the real key to protecting future generations of beach-nesting wildlife,” said Douglass.

To learn more, download the “Share the Beach with Beach-nesting Birds” brochure at MyFWC.com/Wildlife. Or check out the Florida Shorebird Alliance at www.flshorebirdalliance.org.

The proposal, which will be discussed by the Commission as a draft rule at its April 17 meeting in Tallahassee, will include the following possible changes for tarpon and bonefish management in state and federal waters off Florida:

• Eliminating the tarpon bag limit and allowing the harvest and possession of a single tarpon in conjunction with a tarpon tag only when in pursuit of an IGFA record;
• Modifying the tarpon tag program, including reporting requirements and calendar year; and
• Discontinuing the bonefish tournament exemption permit that allows tournament anglers to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale.

All four public events will be from 6-8 p.m. EDT. Dates and locations of the workshops are:

• April 1: St. Petersburg at Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Ave. S.E.
• April 2: Dania Beach at IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way
• April 3: Key Colony Beach at City Hall, Mile Marker 53.5, 600 W. Ocean Drive

To learn more or to attend the webinar and telephone conference call, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops.”

The FWC wants to hook aspiring anglers and their families on the thrill of fishing. Also on April 6, both residents and nonresidents are exempt from Florida’s freshwater fishing license requirements, but all other regulations continue to apply.

Former Sen. Paula Dockery will open the festivities, which, in addition to fishing, include a casting contest; live snake, turtle and invertebrate displays; a fly-tying demonstration; and a trophy catch display. Lunch for all registered participants is provided free, courtesy of Sweetbay.

For kids 15 years of age and under, bait is free. A limited number of loaner rods and reels are also available to this age group; however, older anglers must supply their own bait and tackle. Parents or guardians must accompany children.

To register, call Joyce Ellerbe or Trina Heil at 863-648-3200, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tenoroc FMA is at 3829 Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland.

If you would like more information on freshwater fishing, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “Freshwater Fishing” or call the FWC’s Lakeland office at 863-648-3200.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges boaters in Lee County to be on the lookout for manatees. As manatees are on the move in and around the Caloosahatchee River, and with a red tide bloom continuing in southwest Florida this week, boaters are asked to slow down and strictly obey posted speed restrictions in manatee protection zones.

“Manatees have been on the move as of late, and with mild temperatures leading to increased boat traffic, we want to remind boaters to be vigilant,” said Capt. Guy Carpenter, FWC law enforcement supervisor for Lee and Charlotte counties. “We ask that boaters scan the water around their vessels for signs of manatees and proceed with caution in areas where manatees may be present.”

Boaters are also urged to wear polarized sunglasses. Signs of manatees in the water include repetitive swirl patterns called a manatee footprint, a mud trail or a snout or fluke (tail) breaking the water’s surface.

The ongoing red tide bloom in the area can affect the health and behavior of some manatees and may make them more vulnerable to being struck by watercraft. Signs that a manatee is affected by red tide include a lack of coordination and stability in the water, muscle twitches or seizures and difficulty lifting its head to breathe.

The public is asked to report manatees exhibiting these symptoms, and any distressed or dead manatees, through the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).