Activists against a proposed bear hunt hung a banner across the I-4 overpass near the Mall at Millennia Monday morning.

Later this month a key vote will be taking place in Tallahassee to decide whether to allow bear hunting.

Spurred by recent bear attacks, including three in Seminole County, those in favor of hunting said it's a matter of public safety. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said allowing bear hunting is a way to curb the bear population, but environmental groups claim that’s simply not the case.

That's why activists with the Animals Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) hung a banner across the I-4 overpass near the Mall at Millennia. The banner, meant to make drivers think about bear hunting, will read: “TELL FWC - NO BEAR HUNT”

Animal rights groups and environmental organizations want the public to contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission and stop a proposed bear hunt in Florida. The proposal would allow bear hunting permits for the first time since 1994, a time when the bear population was shrinking. FWC’s proposed hunt would last for just one week in the fall, and be limited.

Environmental groups want people to voice their opinions to the FWC ahead of the April 15 vote.

They said there are better ways of protecting the public and they revolve around educating about bears. They also claim that the FWC’s research isn’t complete, saying they haven’t mapped out exactly how many bears are in each region. 

“How is killing bears in Ocala going to do anything for reducing the number of bear attacks in the cul de sacs and sub divisions in Seminole County?" said Bryan Wilson, with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "So we really have to ask ourselves, is this bear hunt about public safety, or is it really about bear trophies?” 

Environmental groups have claimed that allowing bear hunting would be disastrous, and would disrupt ecosystems. They told News 13 that bears were just removed from the threatened species list in 2012.

They also said it’s a better use of FWC funds to help with education and bear-proof cans, versus policing a bear hunt.

“FWC’s own research has shown that bear conflicts are reduced when there are bear-proof cans and bear-proof dumpsters, and when people learn to live in harmony with bears instead of being an attractant for bear populations," said Wilson. 

If you want to weigh in on the issue, you can e-mail FWC at bearcomments@myfwc.com.