Florida’s largest native land mammal is the Black Bear – a very shy and extremely elusive creature which hides within dense vegetation and can only be spotted very rarely in the wild. Spotting one is an event to cherish, and absolutely thrilling for those who are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. That being said, your chances of encountering a Florida Black Bear are greater today than any time over the past 100 years.
Black Bears are just as difficult to spot as the Florida Panther – so imagine our surprise recently when one walked onto the hiking trail we were on, just meters in front of us! To put it into perspective, Mike has been hiking Florida extensively over the last 8 years and had only ever spotted a wild black bear once before. Having now spotted both a Florida Panther and a Florida Black Bear within the same week I’m assuming I’m either an incredibly lucky charm or they like Australian meat!
Black Bears are relatively common within the Big Cyprus Swamp and the Ocala National Forest, however we were riding through Bird Rookery Swamp at the time. While we froze as soon as we saw him, we froze out of awe as opposed to being scared for our safety. Most bear encounters in the forests are not threatening – they eat honey, berries and insects as opposed to humans – however that’s not to say they are teddy bears! Bears are incredibly dangerous and should never be regarded as completely harmless, especially a sow with cubs. If possible, try to avoid hiking alone, and should you be lucky enough to encounter a bear, enjoy from a distance….which is what zoom lenses are for!
Stick to only shooting through your zoom lens, however, as black bears are protected. Hunting or killing a black bear in Florida is a felony which will land you up to 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine, and it is also illegal to sell or trade bear parts within the State. While the species has seen a severe population decline in the past due to recent conservation efforts their numbers are rebounding. It is estimated that there are between 2,500 – 3,000 bears within Florida at the moment, with around 1,200 of these being located within Ocala National Park.
Find them too!
You are most likely to encounter a black bear within the Ocala National Forest. The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway runs right through the middle of the Forest and will provide access to many of the forests dirt roads. Bears are more likely to be spotted during the early hours of the morning and just before dark, however also keep an eye out for bobcats, fox, deer and a number of reptiles. There are many hiking trails for those more adventurous wanting to take a walk ‘on the wild side’!
For more information, head to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Have you ever spotted a rare animal?