florida residents’ opinions on black bears and black … · 2019-06-18 · bears are a problem in...

FLORIDA RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON BLACK BEARS AND BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT

Conducted for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

by Responsive Management

2016

FLORIDA RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON BLACK BEARS AND BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT

2016

Responsive Management National Office Mark Damian Duda, Executive Director

Martin Jones, Senior Research Associate Tom Beppler, Senior Research Associate

Steven J. Bissell, Ph.D., Qualitative Research Associate Andrea Criscione, Senior Research Associate

Patrick Doherty, Research Associate Gregory L. Hughes, P.E., Research Associate

John Needham, Research Associate Megan Barnes, Survey Center Manager

Alison Lanier, Business Manager

130 Franklin Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Phone: 540/432-1888

E-mail: [email protected] www.responsivemanagement.com

Acknowledgments

Responsive Management would like to thank Diane Eggeman, David Telesco, and Thomas

Eason of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their input, support, and

guidance on this project.

Florida Residents’ Opinions on Black Bears and Black Bear Management i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

(hereinafter referred to as the FWC or simply “the Commission”) to determine Florida residents’

attitudes toward black bears, their opinions on the management of black bears, and whether they

have had any interactions with black bears, positive or negative. Additionally, the survey

explored Florida residents’ attitudes toward hunting in general and the hunting of black bears in

particular. The study entailed a scientific telephone survey of adult Florida residents.

For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the

almost universal ownership of telephones among Florida residents (both landlines and cell

phones were called and then properly proportioned). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to

mail or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher

quality data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective.

Telephone surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys

because of reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning

the questionnaires.

The telephone survey questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management

and the Commission. Responsive Management conducted pre-tests of the questionnaire to

ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the survey.

The sample of Florida residents was obtained from Survey Sampling International (SSI), a firm

that specializes in providing scientifically valid samples for survey research. The sample

consisted of a random landline telephone sample and a random cell phone sample put together

into the dual-frame sample so that it had the widest coverage possible and accurately represented

Florida residents as a whole.

Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday

from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. The survey was

conducted in November 2016. The software used for data collection was Questionnaire

ii Responsive Management

Programming Language. Responsive Management obtained a total of 1,289 completed

interviews.

The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences as well as

proprietary software developed by Responsive Management. For the entire sample of adult

Florida residents, the sampling error is at most plus or minus 2.73 percentage points.

KNOWLEDGE OF BLACK BEARS

� A large majority of Florida residents (80%) correctly indicate that black bears currently live

in Florida, including 64% who are absolutely sure of it.

� Just under half of Florida residents (44%) think that black bears live in their county.

� The Commission estimates that there are approximately 4,000 black bears living in the wild

in the state of Florida. When residents are given four choices regarding how many black

bears live in the wild in Florida, only 16% choose the correct answer.

� While most Florida residents do not correctly answer that the black bear populations in

Florida have increased over the past 10 years (58% do not give the correct answer), 42%

correctly answer the question.

OPINION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN

FLORIDA

� Just over half of Florida residents (54%) think that the bear population in the state is about

right. Nonetheless, 19% think it is too high. Overall, 54% of residents think the bear

population in their county is about right, while only 8% think it is too high.

� Ratings are more positive than negative regarding the Commission staff’s job at managing

black bears in Florida: 64% rate them excellent or good, compared to 17% giving them a

rating in the lower half of the scale (the remainder do not know).

Florida Residents’ Opinions on Black Bears and Black Bear Management iii

OPINION ON THE PRESENCE OF BLACK BEARS AND EXPERIENCES WITH

BLACK BEARS

� Just over half of Florida residents, when presented with a continuum relating to their comfort

level regarding the presence of black bears, say that they “want to see and have black bears in

my county but not in my neighborhood” (56% choose this response), which is the middle of

the continuum. Meanwhile, 13% are more tolerant than that, and 22% are less tolerant—the

latter choosing the response indicating that they are “uncomfortable about having black bears

even in my county.”

� Just over half of Florida residents (53%) agree that black bears and humans can live in the

same area without conflict; about a third (36%) disagree.

� Just over half of Florida residents (53%) agree that “knowing black bears live in the wild in

Florida improves my overall quality of life.” Just under a quarter (22%) disagree.

� Just under a third of Florida residents (31%) say that they have seen a black bear in the wild

in Florida.

� Of those who have seen a bear, 63% described seeing the bear as a positive experience, while

8% described it as a negative experience.

PROBLEMS WITH BLACK BEARS

� The majority of Florida residents (55%) say that black bears are a problem in the state, but

only 6% say that they are a major problem. However, when residents are asked if black

bears are a problem in their neighborhood, only 10% say that they are a problem (major or

minor).

� The questions above ask only about perceptions of whether bears are a problem. The next

questions concern actual problems experienced. For residents statewide, 3% have had

problems with or property damage from black bears in the past 2 years. The most common

problems are bears getting into garbage (60% of those who had problems) and damaged

property (54%).

iv Responsive Management

� Of those who had a problem with black bears, 20% contacted someone outside of friends or

family for assistance with the problem. This equates to approximately 1% of Florida

residents overall.

WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS NEGATIVE HUMAN-BEAR

INTERACTIONS

� The survey presented a series of potential actions to Florida residents. They were asked,

“Please tell me if you agree or disagree that you would be willing to take each of the

following actions recommended by FWC to reduce conflicts with bears.” Nine potential

actions were included in the survey. Among residents overall, a majority agree that they

would be willing to do each of the actions except one. The top actions in the ranking are

keeping trashcans in a secure location, removing pet feeding bowls from outside, cleaning

outdoor grills after each use, and modifying trashcans to make them more bear-resistant.

� Three questions asked about residents’ opinions on feeding bears, and a fourth question

asked about inadvertent feeding through unsecured trashcans.

• The vast majority of Florida residents (83%) disagree that it is okay to feed wildlife or

leave food out for wildlife.

• Nearly two-thirds of state residents (64%) say that they are aware that it is illegal to feed

bears in Florida.

• Support is high among Florida residents overall (84%) for the use of penalties, such as

fines, for people who feed bears.

• Support is also high among Florida residents overall (87%) for requiring people through

the use of laws and ordinances to keep their trash secure so that bears cannot access it in

areas with high numbers of human-bear conflicts.

Florida Residents’ Opinions on Black Bears and Black Bear Management v

OPINIONS ON BLACK BEAR HABITAT IN FLORIDA

� Just over half of Florida residents (53%) agree that there is enough habitat for bears in the

state; a little over a third (35%) disagree.

� Black bear habitat is overwhelmingly considered important, as 96% of Florida residents

agree with the statement, “Keeping habitat for black bears is important.”

HUNTING PARTICIPATION AND OPINIONS ON HUNTING

� Three questions asked about opinions on regulated hunting: one question about hunting in

general and then about hunting black bears in the state and about hunting black bears in the

respondent’s county of residence. Support among all residents of the state far exceeds

opposition regarding hunting in general: 70% support, while 22% oppose (the remainder are

neutral). However, residents are more polarized regarding hunting black bears, with 48%

supporting/43% opposing hunting of black bears in the state, and 40% supporting/48%

opposing hunting of black bears in their county.

� Five questions asked about residents’ support for or opposition to hunting of black bears with

knowledge of certain aspects of black bear hunting in mind. Support for hunting black bears

is highest when respondents know that the FWC carefully monitors the population as well as

when respondents know that the goal is to keep the populations at their current levels where

the populations are abundant and healthy. These are more ecological aspects that resonate

well; human-centered aspects, like the statement that black bears are killed in vehicle

accidents, do not resonate as well.

vi Responsive Management

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and Methodology ........................................................................................................1

Use of Telephones for the Survey ...........................................................................................1

Questionnaire Design ..............................................................................................................1

Survey Sample .........................................................................................................................1

Telephone Interviewing Facilities ...........................................................................................2

Interviewing Dates and Times .................................................................................................3

Telephone Survey Data Collection and Quality Control .........................................................3

Data Analysis ...........................................................................................................................4

Interpreting Omnigraphs .........................................................................................................6

Sampling Error ........................................................................................................................7

Additional Information About the Presentation of Results in the Report ...............................8

Knowledge of Black Bears ..............................................................................................................9

Opinion on the Management of the Black Bear Population in Florida ..........................................37

Opinion on the Presence of Black Bears and Experiences With Black Bears ...............................61

Problems With Black Bears ...........................................................................................................94

Willingness To Take Actions To Address Negative Human-Bear Interactions ..........................124

Opinions on Black Bear Habitat in Florida..................................................................................161

Opinions on Hunting ....................................................................................................................172

Demographic Data .......................................................................................................................207

About Responsive Management ..................................................................................................213

Florida Residents’ Opinions on Black Bears and Black Bear Management 1

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

(hereinafter referred to as the FWC or simply “the Commission”) to determine Florida residents’

attitudes toward black bears, their opinions on the management of black bears, and whether they

have had any interactions with black bears, positive or negative. Additionally, the survey

explored Florida residents’ attitudes toward hunting in general and the hunting of black bears in

particular. The study entailed a scientific telephone survey of adult Florida residents. Specific

aspects of the research methodology are discussed below.

USE OF TELEPHONES FOR THE SURVEY

For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the

almost universal ownership of telephones among Florida residents (both landlines and cell

phones were called and then properly proportioned). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to

mail or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher

quality data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective.

Telephone surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys

because of reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning

the questionnaires.

QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

The telephone survey questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management

and the Commission, based on the research team’s familiarity with wildlife management, natural

resources, and outdoor recreation. Responsive Management conducted pre-tests of the

questionnaire to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the survey.

SURVEY SAMPLE

The sample of Florida residents was obtained from Survey Sampling International (SSI), a firm

that specializes in providing scientifically valid samples for survey research. The sample

actually consisted of two samples and is therefore known as a dual-frame sample. Specifically, it

consisted of a random landline telephone sample and a random cell phone sample put together

into the dual-frame sample so that it had the widest coverage possible and accurately represented

2 Responsive Management

Florida residents as a whole. The sample used a probability-based selection process that ensured

that each eligible resident had an approximately equal chance of being selected for the survey.

This process ensured that the sample was valid because every resident had a known chance of

participating in the survey.

The sample was stratified into seven bear management units; Responsive Management obtained

at least 175 interviews in each bear management unit (more were obtained in some units).

Furthermore, the survey was to obtain at least 300 completed interviews in a grouping of

counties selected because they had numerous bear nuisance complaints (371 were obtained in

total for these selected bear counties). For statewide results, the bear management units were

then weighted into their proper proportions. Note that a map of the bear management units is

included in a further section of the report titled, “Data Analysis.”

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWING FACILITIES

A central polling site at the Responsive Management office allowed for rigorous quality control

over the interviews and data collection. Responsive Management maintains its own in-house

telephone interviewing facilities. These facilities are staffed by interviewers with experience

conducting computer-assisted telephone interviews on the subjects of wildlife management,

natural resources, and outdoor recreation.

To ensure the integrity of the telephone survey data, Responsive Management has interviewers

who have been trained according to the standards established by the Council of American Survey

Research Organizations. Methods of instruction included lecture and role-playing. The Survey

Center Managers and other professional staff conducted a project briefing with the interviewers

prior to the administration of this survey. Interviewers were instructed on type of study, study

goals and objectives, handling of survey questions, interview length, termination points and

qualifiers for participation, interviewer instructions within the survey questionnaire, reading of

the survey questions, skip patterns, and probing and clarifying techniques necessary for specific

questions on the survey questionnaire.


INTERVIEWING DATES AND TIMES

Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday

from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. A five-callback

design was used to maintain the representativeness of the sample, to avoid bias toward people

easy to reach by telephone, and to provide an equal opportunity for all to participate. When a

respondent could not be reached on the first call, subsequent calls were placed on different days

of the week and at different times of the day. The survey was conducted in November 2016.

TELEPHONE SURVEY DATA COLLECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL

The software used for data collection was Questionnaire Programming Language (QPL). The

survey data were entered into the computer as each interview was being conducted, eliminating

manual data entry after the completion of the survey and the concomitant data entry errors that

may occur with manual data entry. The survey questionnaire was programmed so that QPL

branched, coded, and substituted phrases in the survey based on previous responses to ensure the

integrity and consistency of the data collection.

The Survey Center Managers and statisticians monitored the data collection, including

monitoring of the actual telephone interviews without the interviewers’ knowledge, to evaluate

the performance of each interviewer and ensure the integrity of the data. The survey

questionnaire itself contained error checkers and computation statements to ensure quality and

consistent data. After the surveys were obtained by the interviewers, the Survey Center

Managers and/or statisticians checked each completed survey to ensure clarity and completeness.

Responsive Management obtained a total of 1,289

completed interviews, distributed among the bear

management units as shown in the tabulation at

right. Note that the a map of the bear management

units is included in the next section of this report,

“Data Analysis.”

Bear Management

Units

Number of

Completed

Interviews

West Panhandle 175

East Panhandle 175

North 175

Big Bend 181

Central 191

South Central 213

South 179 For statewide results, the units were properly weighted

to be in the proper proportions.


DATA ANALYSIS

The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences as well as

proprietary software developed by Responsive Management. The results were weighted by

demographic, geographic, and telephone use characteristics so that the sample was representative

of residents of Florida as a whole.

On questions that asked respondents to provide a number (e.g., number of years lived in Florida),

the graphs may show ranges of numbers rather than the precise numbers. Nonetheless, in the

survey each respondent provided a precise number, and the dataset includes this precise number,

even if the graph only shows ranges of numbers. Note that the calculation of means and medians

used the precise numbers that the respondents provided.

Crosstabulations were run on the question results by bear management unit; there are seven bear

management units for this study. Crosstabulations were also run on residency by four categories:

large city/urban area, suburban area, small city/town, and rural area. Finally, a data run was

made of a set of non-contiguous counties where bear nuisance complaints are the most

numerous, referred to as “the selected bear counties” in the text. (The bear management units

and the selected bear counties are shown in the maps and tables on the following page.)

In the body of the report, graphs are shown of the results in the same order each time:

• Statewide.

• By bear management unit (two graphs for the units: one with the Panhandles, North, and

Big Bend units on it; the other with the Central, South Central, and South units on it).

• By residency.

• A data run of the selected black bear nuisance counties.

An additional way to analyze data is through “omnigraphs,” so called because they have all the

demographic information about certain groups on one graph, such as those who support hunting

of black bears in the state. The following section explains how these graphs are interpreted.


West Panhandle North

Escambia Baker

Holmes Columbia

Okaloosa Duval

Santa Rosa Hamilton

Walton Nassau

East Panhandle Suwannee

Bay Union

Calhoun Central

Franklin Alachua

Gadsden Bradford

Gulf Brevard

Jackson Clay

Jefferson Flagler

Leon Lake

Liberty Marion

Madison Orange

Taylor Putnam

Wakulla Seminole

Washington St. Johns

Big Bend Sumter

Citrus Volusia

Dixie South Central

Gilchrist Charlotte

Hernando De Soto

Lafayette Glades

Levy Hardee

Pasco Highlands

South Hillsborough

Broward Indian River

Collier Manatee

Hendry Martin

Lee Okeechobee

Miami-Dade Osceola

Monroe Pinellas

Palm Beach Polk

Sarasota

St. Lucie

Selected Counties Where Black Bear

Nuisance Complaints Are the

Most Numerous

Bay

Collier

Franklin

Gulf

Lake

Lee

Leon

Marion

Okaloosa

Orange

Putnam

Santa Rosa

Seminole

Volusia

Wakulla


INTERPRETING OMNIGRAPHS

Graphs are presented for some questions that show the percentage of various groups who gave a

certain response. For instance, one question asked Florida residents whether they thought black

bears lived in the wild in Florida, with four possible answers: yes, absolutely sure; yes, but not

sure; no, but not sure; and no, absolutely sure they do not. (The latter two answers are, of course,

wrong.) An omnigraph for this question was created, showing the percentage of various groups

who are absolutely sure black bears live in Florida, as shown in the example below. Among all

adult Florida residents, 64% said that they were absolutely sure black bears lived in Florida, as

indicated by the striped bar. The text box to the right of the graph explains how to interpret the

graph.

88

87

85

83

79

78

76

76

75

71

71

68

66

65

64

63

62

60

60

58

57

56

50

39

0 20 40 60 80 100

Owns 10 or more acres of land in Florida

Lives in bear nuisance county

Hunted in past 5 years

Lives in West Panhandle BMU

Lives in Central BMU

Lives in Big Bend BMU

Owns fewer than 10 acres of land in Florida

55 years old or older

Lives in East Panhandle BMU

Male

Education level is Bachelor's degree or higher

Has lived in Florida 5 or more years

Lives in North BMU

Lives in South Central BMU

Total

Education level is less than a Bachelor's degree

35-54 years old

Did not hunt in past 5 years

18-34 years old

Female

Does not live in bear nuisance county

Does not own land in Florida

Lives in South BMU

Has lived in Florida fewer than 5 years

Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who are absolutely sure that bears live in Florida:

Those groups above the

striped “total” bar are

more likely to be sure that

black bears live in the

wild in Florida.

For instance, 87% of

those who live in one of

the selected bear counties

are sure that black bears

live in the wild in Florida,

a much higher rate than

residents as a whole

(64%).

Also, those who live in

the West Panhandle bear

management unit have a

higher rate of being sure

that black bears live in

Florida (83%) than

residents as a whole.

Those are both above the

total percentage.

Conversely, those who

live in the South bear

management unit have a

lower rate (50%) of being

sure that black bears live

in Florida.

The group with the least

likelihood of being sure

that black bears live in

Florida consists of

residents who have not

lived long in the state

(only 39% of them are

sure).


All of the omnigraphs are set up the same way, with the groups most likely to have the

characteristic or hold the opinion at the top of the graph, and those least likely to have the

characteristic at the bottom of the graph. The overall results are always shown in the middle by a

striped bar.

Also note that one group being above the striped bar means that at least one counterpart group

has to be below the striped bar; for instance, in the graph on the previous page, males are above

the striped bar (71% are sure black bears live in Florida), so females are below the striped bar

(58% of them are sure black bears live in Florida). As a further example, both types of

landowners are above the striped bar (88% of large landowners and 76% of small landowners),

while their counterpart, the “does not own land” group, is below the striped bar (56%). The

possible exception to this is the variable for knowing whether black bears live in Florida: one

part of the variable is, “Is absolutely sure bears live in Florida”; the second part of the variable is

“Does not think bears live in FL (both those sure and unsure)”; a third element of this variable is

not shown on the graph, which consists of respondents who thought bears live in Florida but they

weren’t sure and those who answered that they did not know. For this reason, at times both parts

of this variable shown on the omnigraphs can be on the same side of the striped bar.

SAMPLING ERROR

Throughout this report, findings of the telephone survey are reported at a 95% confidence

interval. For the entire sample of adult Florida residents, the sampling error is at most plus or

minus 2.73 percentage points. This means that if the survey were conducted 100 times on

different samples that were selected in the same way, the findings of 95 out of the 100 surveys

would fall within plus or minus 2.73 percentage points of each other. Sampling error was

calculated using the formula described below, with a sample size of 1,289 and a population size

of 15,975,472 adult Florida residents.


Sampling Error Equation

( )

( )96.11

25.25.

−

−

=p

s

p

N

N

N

B

Derived from formula: p. 206 in Dillman, D. A. 2000. Mail and Internet Surveys. John Wiley & Sons, NY.

Note: This is a simplified version of the formula that calculates the maximum sampling error using a 50:50

split (the most conservative calculation because a 50:50 split would give maximum variation).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION OF RESULTS IN THE REPORT

In examining the results, it is important to be aware that the questionnaire included several types

of questions:

• Open-ended questions are those in which no answer set is read to the respondents;

rather, they can respond with anything that comes to mind from the question.

• Closed-ended questions have an answer set from which to choose.

• Single or multiple response questions: Some questions allow only a single response,

while other questions allow respondents to give more than one response or choose all that

apply. Those that allow more than a single response are indicated on the graphs with the

label, “Multiple Responses Allowed.”

• Scaled questions: Many closed-ended questions (but not all) are in a scale, such as

excellent-good-fair-poor.

• Series questions: Many questions are part of a series, and the results are primarily

intended to be examined relative to the other questions in that series (although results of

the questions individually can also be valuable). Typically, results of all questions in a

series are shown together.

The graphs show results rounded to the nearest integer; however, all data are stored in decimal

format, and all calculations are performed on unrounded numbers. For this reason, some results

may not sum to exactly 100% because of this rounding on the graphs. Additionally, rounding

may cause apparent discrepancies of 1 percentage point between the graphs and the reported

results of combined responses (e.g., when “strongly support” and “moderately support” are

summed to determine the total percentage in support).

Where: B = maximum sampling error (as decimal)

NP = population size (i.e., total number who could be surveyed)

NS = sample size (i.e., total number of respondents surveyed)


KNOWLEDGE OF BLACK BEARS

� A large majority of Florida residents (80%) correctly indicate that black bears currently live

in Florida, including 64% who are absolutely sure of it.

• The highest correct percentages are in the West Panhandle, East Panhandle, and Central

bear management units.

• Rural residents have a higher rate of correctly answering than any other residency group.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a higher rate of correctly answering than

respondents overall: 96% correctly answer.

o Omnigraphs are included of this question, showing respondent characteristics

associated with the various responses.

� Just under half of Florida residents (44%) think that black bears live in their county.

• The units with the highest percentages are the West Panhandle, East Panhandle, and

Central.

• Rural residents are the most likely to think that bears live in their county.

• Bear county residents are much more likely to think that bears live in the wild in their

county: 78% do so.



� The Commission estimates that there are approximately 4,000 black bears living in the wild

in the state of Florida. When residents are given four choices regarding how many black

bears live in the wild in Florida, only 16% choose the correct answer.

• The crosstabulations by bear management unit, by residency, and by the selected bear

counties finds no great differences from the statewide results.


� While most Florida residents do not correctly answer that the black bear populations in

Florida have increased over the past 10 years (58% do not give the correct answer), 42%

correctly answer the question.

• The West and East Panhandle units, North unit, and the Big Bend units have the highest

percentages of residents giving the correct answer.

• Rural residents have the highest percentage giving the correct answer that bears have

increased.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a higher percentage than residents overall

giving the correct answer (48% do so).




64

16

6

6

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes, you're absolutelysure they live in Florida

Yes, you think they livein Florida but you're not

sure

No, you think they don'tbut you're not sure

No, you're absolutelysure they don't live in

Florida

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q14. Based on what you know, do black bears currently live in the wild in Florida?

80%


83

10

4

0

3

75

18

3

1

3

66

14

7

7

5

78

9

5

3

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes, you'reabsolutely sure

they live in Florida

Yes, you thinkthey live in Floridabut you're not sure

No, you think theydon't but you're

not sure

No, you'reabsolutely surethey don't live in

Florida

Don't know

Percent


West Panhandle (n=175)

East Panhandle (n=175)

North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

93%

93%

80%

88% *

* Rounding to the integer

on graph causes apparent discrepancy in sum; calculation made on unrounded numbers.


79

13

2

3

3

65

14

10

3

8

50

20

5

12

14

0 20 40 60 80 100



Yes, you think theylive in Florida butyou're not sure

No, you think theydon't but you're not

sure


Florida

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)

South Central (n=213)

South (n=179)

92%

79%

69% *




59

13

8

8

12

66

18

3

6

7

68

16

6

3

7

68

18

4

7

3

0 20 40 60 80 100



Yes, you thinkthey live in Floridabut you're not sure

No, you think theydon't but you're

not sure


Florida

Don't know

Percent


Large city or urban area (n=269)

Suburban area (n=259)

Small city or town (n=481)

Rural area (n=269)

72%

84%

84%

86%


87

9

0

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes, you're absolutelysure they live in Florida

Yes, you think they livein Florida but you're not

sure

No, you think they don'tbut you're not sure

No, you're absolutelysure they don't live in

Florida

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q14. Based on what you know, do black bears currently live in the wild in Florida? (Bear

county residents.)

96%


(See the section titled, “Interpreting Omnigraphs,” for an explanation of how to interpret

this graph.)

88

87

85

83

79

78

76

76

75

71

71

68

66

65

64

63

62

60

60

58

57

56

50

39

0 20 40 60 80 100










Male



Lives in North BMU


Total


35-54 years old


18-34 years old

Female



Lives in South BMU


Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who are absolutely sure that bears live in Florida:



this graph.)

18

12

9

9

8

8

8

7

7

6

6

5

5

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

1

0

0 20 40 60 80 100


Lives in South BMU

Female

35-54 years old


18-34 years old


Lives in North BMU


Total




Male











Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who are absolutely sure that bears do not live in Florida:


44

26

10

20

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Did not getquestion

(answered "no"or "don't know"

to previousquestion)

Percent (n=1289)

Q15. Do you think black bears live in the wild in your county?


72

14

7

7

68

16

9

7

55

19

6

20

60

13

14

12

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Did not get question(answered "no" or

"don't know" toprevious question)

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


67

16

10

8

36

30

12

21

25

36

8

31

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know



Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


31

33

7

28

40

30

14

16

49

25

9

16

65

11

10

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know



Percent





Rural area (n=269)


78

13

4

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Did not getquestion

(answered "no"or "don't know"

to previousquestion)

Percent (n=371)

Q15. Do you think black bears live in the wild in your county? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

82

78

78

73

72

69

69

69

63

60

60

57

56

55

55

55

54

54

52

51

50

46

46

44

36

26

0 20 40 60 80 100






Lives in North BMU




Is absolutely sure bears live in Florida




Male

Does not think bears live in FL (both those sure and unsure ofthis)

Total


Female

35-54 years old


18-34 years old




Lives in South BMU


Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think black bears live in the wild in their county:



this graph.)

52

52

41

38

38

37

36

35

34

33

33

32

32

31

31

29

28

28

28

23

17

17

15

15

14

13

0 20 40 60 80 100


Lives in South BMU




18-34 years old

35-54 years old

Male



Total



Female






Lives in North BMU







Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who do not think black bears live in the wild in their

county:


20

17

12

16

8

26

0 20 40 60 80 100

1,000 bears

2,000 bears

3,000 bears

4,000 bears

None of these

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q17. How many black bears do you think live in the entire state of Florida? (Respondents were

given the four choices shown.)


5

18

13

20

10

34

10

15

16

21

11

26

14

15

17

20

9

25

26

17

10

12

14

22

0 20 40 60 80 100

1,000 bears

2,000 bears

3,000 bears

4,000 bears

None of these

Don't know

Percent





North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


18

12

20

17

4

29

21

21

10

15

8

25

22

19

7

16

10

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

1,000 bears

2,000 bears

3,000 bears

4,000 bears

None of these

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


20

15

7

18

8

33

22

26

12

15

7

17

18

15

17

15

8

27

19

14

13

17

12

26

0 20 40 60 80 100

1,000 bears

2,000 bears

3,000 bears

4,000 bears

None of these

Don't know

Percent



Large city or urban area(n=269)



Rural area (n=269)


13

15

11

19

6

36

0 20 40 60 80 100

1,000 bears

2,000 bears

3,000 bears

4,000 bears

None of these

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q17. How many black bears do you think live in the entire state of Florida? (Respondents were given the four choices shown.) (Bear county

residents.)


42

10

33

15

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increased

Stayed about thesame

Decreased

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q19. Do you think black bear populations in Florida have increased, stayed about the same,

or decreased over the past 10 years?


54

12

20

14

56

11

19

13

50

10

29

11

48

14

26

12

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increased


Decreased

Don't know

Percent





North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


41

8

41

10

41

14

30

15

39

8

33

19

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increased


Decreased

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


36

8

35

20

43

13

34

10

40

11

34

15

57

8

22

13

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increased


Decreased

Don't know

Percent






Rural area (n=269)


48

9

30

12

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increased


Decreased

Don't know

Percent (n=371)


or decreased over the past 10 years? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

61

56

54

50

48

48

46

46

45

45

45

43

43

42

42

42

41

41

41

40

39

39

39

38

36

32

0 20 40 60 80 100




Lives in North BMU




Male




35-54 years old


Total

18-34 years old






Lives in South BMU

Female





Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think that black bear populations in Florida have

increased in the past 10 years:



this graph.)

41

41

39

35

34

34

34

34

33

33

33

32

31

31

31

30

30

30

30

29

28

26

26

20

19

19

0 20 40 60 80 100

18-34 years old




35-54 years old


Female


Lives in South BMU


Total



Male






Lives in North BMU







Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think that black bear populations in Florida have

decreased in the past 10 years:


OPINION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN FLORIDA

� The previous section showed the results of knowledge questions to which there are correct

and incorrect responses. The rest of the results presented are opinion and attitude questions

for which there are no wrong or right responses.

� Just over half of Florida residents (54%) think that the bear population in the state is about

right. Nonetheless, 19% think it is too high.

• West Panhandle unit residents are the most likely to think that the bear population is too

high in the state.

• Rural residents and small city/town residents have the highest percentage saying that the

bear population is too low.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a slightly higher percentage than residents of

the state as a whole thinking that the bear population is too high: 23% think so.

o Results regarding the population in the respondent’s county of residence are shown.

Overall, 54% of residents think the bear population in their county is about right,

while only 8% think it is too high.

o Omnigraphs are included of these questions about the bear population statewide and

in the respondent’s county, showing respondent characteristics associated with the

various responses.

� Ratings are more positive than negative regarding the Commission staff’s job at managing

black bears in Florida: 64% rate them excellent or good, compared to 17% giving them a

rating in the lower half of the scale (the remainder do not know).

• In looking at the bear management units, residents of the Big Bend unit give the best

ratings, followed by residents of the South unit.

• Rural residents have the highest percentage giving a fair or poor rating.

• Residents of the selected bear counties are just slightly more likely than residents of

Florida overall to give a negative response (i.e., a rating of fair or poor).




19

54

14

12

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q22. In your opinion, would you say the black bear population in Florida is too high, about

right, or too low?


24

53

12

11

22

59

8

11

22

56

10

12

21

49

23

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent


right, or too low?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


21

57

14

9

16

54

15

15

18

53

15

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent


right, or too low?

Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


20

50

12

19

17

61

12

10

17

57

17

10

21

50

20

9

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent


right, or too low?




Rural area (n=269)


23

55

13

10

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q22. In your opinion, would you say the black bear population in Florida is too high, about right, or too low? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

29

24

24

23

23

22

22

21

21

20

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

18

18

17

17

16

16

16

15

12

0 20 40 60 80 100







Lives in North BMU





Male

Total



Female


Lives in South BMU



18-34 years old




35-54 years old


Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think the black bear population in Florida is

too high:



this graph.)

59

58

58

57

57

57

56

56

56

56

56

55

55

54

54

54

54

54

53

53

52

50

49

48

47

45

0 20 40 60 80 100



18-34 years old



Female

Lives in North BMU

35-54 years old







Total





Lives in South BMU

Male






Percent


about right:



this graph.)

23

17

17

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

13

12

12

10

10

9

8

0 20 40 60 80 100


18-34 years old


Male




35-54 years old



Lives in South BMU



Total







Female


Lives in North BMU




Percent


too low:


8

54

18

21

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q24. In your opinion, would you say the black bear population in your county is too high,

about right, or too low?


19

54

13

14

17

59

14

10

10

54

18

19

3

56

29

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent





North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


12

62

11

15

6

51

21

22

4

50

19

27

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


7

45

20

28

7

60

18

15

8

57

15

20

11

55

18

16

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent






Rural area (n=269)


16

59

11

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Too high

About right

Too low

Don't know

Percent (n=371)


about right, or too low? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

19

17

16

12

10

9

9

9

8

8

8

8

8

8

7

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

5

4

3

3

0 20 40 60 80 100





Lives in North BMU






Female


Total

Male




18-34 years old



35-54 years old



Lives in South BMU



Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think the black bear population in their county

is too high:



this graph.)

62

59

59

56

56

56

56

56

55

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

53

53

52

51

50

48

47

0 20 40 60 80 100




18-34 years old





Male





35-54 years old

Total



Lives in North BMU



Female



Lives in South BMU



Percent


is about right:



this graph.)

30

29

25

21

21

21

20

19

19

19

18

18

18

18

17

17

16

16

16

16

15

14

13

12

11

11

0 20 40 60 80 100




18-34 years old


Male




Lives in South BMU


Lives in North BMU


Total






35-54 years old

Female






Percent


is too low:


21

43

12

6

19

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q23. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the agency responsible for

managing bears in the state. Overall, do you think FWC staff have done an excellent, good,

fair, or poor job of managing black bears in Florida?

64%

17% *




19

46

16

7

12

28

36

17

6

12

21

43

18

5

14

21

49

12

5

13

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent






North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

65%

65% *

63% *

70%

22% *

24% *

23%

17%




16

44

12

9

19

23

41

8

5

23

23

44

11

4

18

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent




Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

60%

63% *

67%

21%

14% *

15%




18

43

11

6

22

23

46

11

6

14

24

42

11

3

20

18

41

16

11

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent







Rural area (n=269)

61%

69%

66%

59%

17%

17%

14%

27%


19

42

14

9

17

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q23. The FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the agency responsible for


fair, or poor job of managing black bears in Florida? (Bear county residents.)

61%

23%



this graph.)

28

26

24

23

23

22

22

22

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

20

20

19

19

19

17

16

16

11

11

0 20 40 60 80 100


35-54 years old


Lives in South BMU



Female



18-34 years old

Total




Lives in North BMU



Male









Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think the FWC is doing an excellent job of

managing black bears in Florida:



this graph.)

9

9

9

8

8

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

3

3

3

2

0 20 40 60 80 100











35-54 years old


Male

Total

Female




Lives in North BMU



Lives in South BMU


18-34 years old



Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think the FWC is doing a poor job of managing

black bears in Florida:


OPINION ON THE PRESENCE OF BLACK BEARS AND EXPERIENCES WITH BLACK BEARS

� Just over half of Florida residents, when presented with a continuum relating to their comfort

level regarding the presence of black bears, say that they “want to see and have black bears in

my county but not in my neighborhood” (56% choose this response), which is the middle of

the continuum. Meanwhile, 13% are more tolerant than that, and 22% are less tolerant—the

latter choosing the response indicating that they are “uncomfortable about having black bears

even in my county.”

• The most tolerant units are the West Panhandle and the Big Bend bear management units.

The least tolerant is the South unit.

• Rural residents are the most tolerant of all the residency groups.

• Residents of the selected bear counties are more tolerant than residents of the state as a

whole.

� Just over half of Florida residents (53%) agree that black bears and humans can live in the

same area without conflict; about a third (36%) disagree.

• The highest percentage in agreement are residents of the West and East Panhandle units

and the Big Bend unit.

• The highest percentage disagreeing with this are urban residents.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a slightly higher percentage agreeing (58%),

compared to residents overall.

� In a question purely about ecological values that people hold, just over half of Florida

residents (53%) agree that “knowing black bears live in the wild in Florida improves my

overall quality of life.” Just under a quarter (22%) disagree. On this question, a relatively

high percentage answered neutrally (25%).

• Residents of the Big Bend unit and the North unit are markedly lower in their agreement

with the statement.

• In the crosstabulation by residency type, about the same percentages agree across all

types, but suburban residents have the lowest percentage who disagree (they have a

relatively high percentage giving a neutral response).


• Residents of the selected bear counties have a markedly higher percentage who agree

with the statement (61%), compared to residents overall.

� Just under a third of Florida residents (31%) say that they have seen a black bear in the wild

in Florida. Those who have seen one were asked to indicate the last year that they had seen a

black bear in the wild in Florida, as shown on the graphs.

• The West and East Panhandle units and the Central unit have the highest rate of residents

having seen a wild bear in Florida; the South unit has the lowest rate.

• Not surprisingly, rural residents have the highest percentage who have seen a black bear

in the wild in Florida.

• Residents of the selected bear counties are much more likely to have seen a black bear in

the wild in Florida: 55% have seen one. Compared to residents overall, residents of the

selected bear counties have had more recent sightings of wild black bears, as well.

� Of those who have seen a bear, 63% described seeing the bear as a positive experience, while

8% described it as a negative experience.

• Big Bend and South unit residents have the highest percentage describing the experience

as positive. East Panhandle and Central unit residents have the highest percentage

describing the experience as negative.

• Urban residents have the highest percentage who describe their encounter with a black

bear as positive.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a just slightly lower percentage who describe

the experience as positive, compared to residents overall.




6

8

56

22

7

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

I want to see and have black bears at myresidence.

I want to see and have black bears in myneighborhood but not at my residence.

I want to see and have black bears in mycounty but not in my neigborhood.

I feel uncomfortable about having blackbears even in my county.

None of these

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q25. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary residence and in your

area?



13% *


13

6

57

16

6

2

6

7

58

23

4

1

3

8

60

22

5

1

11

14

56

15

4

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

I want to see and have black bearsat my residence.

I want to see and have black bearsin my neighborhood but not at my

residence.

I want to see and have black bearsin my county but not in my

neigborhood.

I feel uncomfortable about havingblack bears even in my county.

None of these

Don't know

Percent


area?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

20% *

14% *

12% *

24% *




5

10

65

14

6

1

5

7

58

21

7

2

5

6

48

29

10

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

I want to see and have black bears atmy residence.

I want to see and have black bears inmy neighborhood but not at my

residence.

I want to see and have black bears inmy county but not in my

neigborhood.


None of these

Don't know

Percent


area?

Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

15%

12%

11%


7

3

54

29

5

3

5

7

60

17

9

2

3

11

60

19

6

1

11

13

47

17

10

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

I want to see and have black bearsat my residence.

I want to see and have black bearsin my neighborhood but not at my

residence

I want to see and have black bearsin my county but not in my

neighborhood


None of these

Don't know

Percent


area?




Rural area (n=269)

9% *

12%

14%

24%




5

13

62

12

6

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

I want to see and have black bears at myresidence.

I want to see and have black bears in myneighborhood but not at my residence.

I want to see and have black bears in mycounty but not in my neigborhood.

I feel uncomfortable about having blackbears even in my county.

None of these

Don't know

Percent (n=371)


area? (Bear county residents.)

18%


25

28

7

16

20

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nordisagree

Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q34. People and black bears can live in the same area without conflict.

36%

53%


33

31

10

7

16

3

31

29

6

14

17

2

27

31

6

11

22

3

30

30

7

16

14

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

65% *

61% *

58%

60%

23%

31%

33%

30%




28

27

10

10

21

4

25

26

6

17

21

5

21

29

5

21

21

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

31%

38%

41% *

55%

51%

50%




27

25

4

16

25

3

28

28

7

18

14

5

20

30

9

20

19

3

29

32

6

6

22

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

51% *

56%

50%

60% *

41%

32%

38% *

28%




29

28

6

17

16

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q34. People and black bears can live in the same area without conflict. (Bear county

residents.)

33%

58% *




29

25

22

9

13

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q35. Knowing black bears live in the wild in Florida improves my overall quality of life.

22%

53% *




23

29

29

9

8

2

29

27

16

10

12

5

20

25

18

9

18

9

25

18

21

16

14

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

52%

56%

45%

43%

17%

22%

27%

30%


32

23

22

9

11

3

28

24

25

11

10

2

30

26

20

6

15

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

55%

52%

56%

20%

21%

21%


33

23

16

5

20

3

28

24

31

7

9

2

27

27

24

13

7

3

28

22

17

11

17

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

55% *

51% *

54%

51% *

25%

16%

20%

28%




35

26

19

10

8

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q35. Knowing black bears live in the wild in Florida improves my overall quality of life. (Bear

county residents.)

18%

61%


31

68

Less than 0.5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q26. Have you, personally, ever seen a black bear in the wild in Florida?


56

44

0

53

47

0

40

59

Less than 0.5

42

58

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


47

53

0

29

70

1

16

84

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


21

78

1

30

70

0

34

66

0

49

51

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)


55

45

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=371)

Q26. Have you, personally, ever seen a black bear in the wild in Florida? (Bear county

residents.)


3

2

5

9

3

7

5

6

11

18

25

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Prior to the1980s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Don't know

Percent (n=524)

Q27. What was the last year you saw a black bear in the wild in Florida? (Asked of those who

have ever seen a black bear in the wild in Florida.)


1

0

1

6

6

5

3

5

11

22

36

2

0

1

2

10

5

4

2

5

10

27

30

3

1

3

4

12

2

8

3

1

17

28

20

2

1

5

7

12

5

2

18

11

10

13

12

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Prior to the1980s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Don't know

Percent





North (n=63)

Big Bend (n=74)


2

2

4

8

1

8

4

3

8

21

37

3

7

0

10

8

5

13

4

12

14

10

9

8

2

6

1

9

0

3

8

5

11

14

21

19

0 20 40 60 80 100

Prior to the1980s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=98)


South (n=31)


4

7

6

7

5

9

2

15

7

12

19

6

1

4

6

11

2

10

4

4

14

14

26

6

3

1

3

9

3

8

6

5

13

21

17

11

2

1

5

8

1

2

2

3

9

24

42

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Prior to the1980s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Don't know

Percent






Rural area (n=150)


0

0

2

5

1

6

3

3

11

22

36

9

0 20 40 60 80 100

Prior to the1980s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Don't know

Percent (n=217)


have ever seen a black bear in the wild in Florida.) (Bear county residents.)


46

17

28

3

5

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly positive

Somewhat positive

Neutral

Somewhat negative

Strongly negative

Don't know

Percent (n=524)

Q29. Would you describe seeing the bear as a positive, a neutral, or a negative experience? (Asked of those who have ever seen a black

bear in the wild in Florida.)

63%

8%


44

15

32

3

5

0

36

20

29

4

12

0

34

17

40

4

5

0

57

31

8

2

4

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly positive

Somewhatpositive

Neutral

Somewhatnegative

Strongly negative

Don't know

Percent





North (n=63)

Big Bend (n=74)

59%

55% *

50% *

87% *

8%

15% *

9%

5% *




38

14

34

5

7

2

52

11

29

3

5

0

60

26

14

0

0

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly positive

Somewhat positive

Neutral

Somewhatnegative

Strongly negative

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=98)


South (n=31)

52%

63%

86%

12%

8%

0%


61

14

17

3

4

0

48

13

28

7

3

1

43

22

25

2

8

0

39

18

37

1

4

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly positive

Somewhatpositive

Neutral

Somewhatnegative

Strongly negative

Don't know

Percent






Rural area (n=150)

75%

61%

64% *

57%

8% *

9% *

11% *

5%




39

19

32

4

5

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly positive

Somewhat positive

Neutral

Somewhat negative

Strongly negative

Don't know

Percent (n=217)


bear in the wild in Florida.) (Bear county residents.)

58%

9%



this graph.)

12

11

8

7

7

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

3

3

2

0

0

0

0 20 40 60 80 100



35-54 years old




Female

Lives in North BMU




Total





Male




18-34 years old



Lives in South BMU



Percent

Among those who have seen a black bear in the wild in Florida, the percent of each of the

following groups who describe their experience as strongly negative:


PROBLEMS WITH BLACK BEARS

� The majority of Florida residents (55%) say that black bears are a problem in the state, but

only 6% say that they are a major problem. However, when residents are asked if black

bears are a problem in their neighborhood, only 10% say that they are a problem.

• Residents of the Central bear management unit have the highest percentage saying black

bears are a problem in the state. Residents of the Central unit, along with residents of

both Panhandle units, have the highest percentage saying that black bears are a problem

in their neighborhood—but only 17% at the highest.

• Urban residents have the lowest percentage who say that black bears are a problem in the

state or their neighborhood.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a higher rate of thinking that black bears are

a problem in the state: 65% do so, with 9% saying that bears are a major problem.

Furthermore, they have a higher percentage, relative to Florida residents overall, saying

that black bears are a problem in their neighborhood (22%).

o An omnigraph is included of those thinking bears are a major problem, showing

respondent characteristics associated with that opinion.

� The questions above ask only about perceptions of whether bears are a problem. The next

questions concern actual problems experienced. For residents statewide, 3% have had

problems with or property damage from black bears in the past 2 years. The most common

problems are bears getting into garbage (60% of those who had problems) and damaged

property (54%).

• The Central unit (10%), West Panhandle unit (9%), and East Panhandle unit (6%) have

the highest percentages of residents who experienced black bear problems.

• Rural residents have a higher percentage saying that they experienced a problem.

• Residents of the selected bear counties have a 10% rate of experiencing black bear

problems, considerably higher than residents overall.

o An omnigraph is included of those who experienced a problem, showing respondent

characteristics associated with that response.


� Of those who had a problem with black bears, 20% contacted someone outside of friends or

family for assistance with the problem. This equates to approximately 1% of Florida

residents overall.

• Results are shown crosstabulated by bear management unit, for those units that had a

sample size of at least 15 respondents on the question (only those who had problems

received the follow-up questions). On the units that are shown, the sample sizes are,

nevertheless, small.

• Results are also shown crosstabulated by residency, but only small city/town and rural

residents had sufficient sample sizes to be shown.

• Among residents of the selected bear counties who had black bear problems, 30%

contacted someone outside of friends or family for assistance with the problem.


6

48

40

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem at all

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q50. How much of a problem would you say black bears are in Florida in general?

55% *




6

51

40

2

6

51

39

4

4

51

38

6

3

47

46

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

57%

57%

55%

50%


11

54

32

3

3

46

43

8

7

45

42

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

65%

49%

52%


6

38

48

8

6

54

34

6

5

50

40

5

8

54

34

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

44%

60%

55%

62%


9

56

31

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem


Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q50. How much of a problem would you say black bears are in Florida in general? (Bear

county residents.)

65%



this graph.)

11

9

8

7

7

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

3

3

0

0 20 40 60 80 100





18-34 years old


Female

Lives in South BMU




Total




Male





Lives in North BMU


35-54 years old




Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who think black bears are a major problem in Florida

in general:


3

7

88

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem


Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q51. How much of a problem would you say black bears are for you in your neighborhood?

10%


7

9

84

0

3

14

82

1

2

7

91

0

0

5

95

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

15% *

17%

9%

5% * Rounding to the integer



5

10

85

1

2

2

94

2

4

6

87

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

14% *

5% *




3

2

91

3

5

4

90

2

2

8

89

0

6

12

81

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem

Not a problem atall

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

5%

9%

10%

18%


5

17

77

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

A major problem

A minor problem


Don't know

Percent (n=371)


(Bear county residents.)

22%


3

97

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=1289)

Q52. Have you personally had any problems with, or property damage from, black bears

within the past 2 years in Florida?


9

91

0

6

93

1

1

99

0

2

98

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent





North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


10

90

0

100

1

99

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


1

99

0

2

98

0

4

96

0

8

91

Less than 0.5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent






Rural area (n=269)


10

90

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=371)


within the past 2 years in Florida? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

10

10

9

7

6

6

5

5

5

5

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

0

0

0 20 40 60 80 100









18-34 years old



Female

Total

35-54 years old

Male







Lives in North BMU

Lives in South BMU




Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who have experienced problems with black bears in

Florida in the past 2 years:


60

54

25

22

19

14

14

7

3

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

In garbage

Damaged property

In yard

Threatened, injured, or killed pets

In building

On porch or patio

Threatened or injured a person

In bird or wildlife feeder

Threatened, injured, or killed livestock

Vehicle collision

Percent (n=61)

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

All

ow

ed

Q55. What types of problems did you have with black bears? (Asked of those who have had any

problems with black bears within the past 2 years in Florida.)


59

40

8

4

3

0

4

4

4

61

24

0

3

14

18

3

0

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

In garbage

Damaged property

On porch or patio

In yard


Vehicle collision


In building


Percent

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

All

ow

ed





Sample sizes were

too small for North

and Big Bend regions

to be shown.


66

66

35

33

23

20

16

9

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Damaged property

In garbage

In yard


In building


On porch or patio



Percent

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

All

ow

ed



Central (n=19)

Sample sizes were

too small for South

Central and South

regions to be shown.


67

54

29

29

29

28

29

13

0

0

49

50

15

32

14

10

8

2

8

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

In garbage

Damaged property

In yard


In building

On porch or patio




Vehicle collision

Percent

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

All

ow

ed




Rural area (n=26)


56

49

18

8

8

7

5

4

1

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

In garbage

Damaged property


In building


In yard



Vehicle collision

On porch or patio

Percent (n=46)

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

All

ow

ed


problems with black bears within the past 2 years in Florida.) (Bear county residents.)


20

69

10

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent (n=61)

Q57. Did you contact anyone outside of friends or family for assistance with your problem with black bears? (Asked of those who have had any



(Note: the following graph shows the results of the question out of all residents, including those

who did not receive the question.)

1

2

Less than 0.5

97

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Did not haveproblem withbears (did notget follow-up

question)

Percent (n=1289)

Q57. Did you contact anyone outside of friends or family for assistance with your problem with black bears? (Among all residents in Florida.)


(Note: the results overall on the previous page are shown out of everybody, including those who

did not get the question. Because the percentage who received the question is relatively low, the

results are shown only of those who received the question rather than of all residents for the

following crosstabulations.)

43

57

15

85

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent





Sample sizes were too small to show results

from the North unit and Big Bend unit.


22

62

16

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent



Central (n=19)

Sample sizes were too small to show results

from the South Central unit and South unit.


15

57

28

27

73

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent




Rural area (n=26)

Sample sizes were too small to show results from large city/urban

area or suburban area.


30

70

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=46)


problems with black bears within the past 2 years in Florida.) (Bear county residents.)


WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS NEGATIVE HUMAN-BEAR INTERACTIONS

� The survey presented a series of potential actions to Florida residents. They were asked,

“Please tell me if you agree or disagree that you would be willing to take each of the

following actions recommended by FWC to reduce conflicts with bears.” Nine potential

actions were included in the survey. Among residents overall, a majority agree that they

would be willing to do each of the actions except one. The top actions in the ranking are

keeping trashcans in a secure location, removing pet feeding bowls from outside, cleaning

outdoor grills after each use, and modifying trashcans to make them more bear-resistant.

• For the crosstabulations by bear management unit, the color-coded data presentation that

was used for the overall results cannot be used. Instead, four graphs are shown for these

crosstabulated data runs: the percentages strongly agreeing, the percentages strongly or

moderately agreeing combined, the percentages strongly or moderately disagreeing

combined, and the percentages strongly disagreeing.

� Three questions asked about residents’ opinions on feeding bears, and a fourth question

asked about inadvertent feeding through unsecured trashcans.

• The vast majority of Florida residents (83%) disagree that it is okay to feed wildlife or

leave food out for wildlife (note that, because the survey was about black bears, it is

unlikely that birds were considered when respondents answered the question, and this

should not be considered to apply to birdfeeders being put out to feed birds).

o The crosstabulations did not find marked differences on these question results.

• Nearly two-thirds of state residents (64%) say that they are aware that it is illegal to feed

bears in Florida.

o The crosstabulations by bear management unit found no marked differences in this

knowledge level.

o Rural residents have the highest percentage being aware that it is illegal to feed bears

in Florida.

o The crosstabulation by selected bear county residents finds them to have a much

higher knowledge level regarding this fact than residents of the state overall: 74% of

residents of the selected bear counties say that they know it is illegal to feed bears.


o An omnigraph is presented for those who did not know that it is illegal to feed bears

in Florida.

• Support is high among Florida residents overall (84%) for the use of penalties, such as

fines, for people who feed bears.

o The crosstabulations did not find marked differences on these question results.

• Support is also high among Florida residents overall (87%) for requiring people through

the use of laws and ordinances to keep their trash secure so that bears cannot access it in

areas with high numbers of human-bear conflicts.

o The crosstabulations did not find marked differences on these question results, with

one exception: residents of large cities/urban areas and suburban areas have the

highest percentage who strongly support this.


79

70

66

61

54

53

43

38

13

15

17

20

21

23

21

19

23

15

1

2

4

5

6

9

10

8

15

2

5

6

7

9

10

17

21

49

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q39. Keeping your trashcan in a secure locationuntil the morning of trash pickup

Q46. Removing your outdoor pet food and bowlsat night and storing them in a secure location

Q47. Cleaning your outdoor grill after each useand storing it in a secure location

Q41. Modifying your existing trashcan withhardware to make it more bear resistant

Q45. Hanging bird/wildlife feeders at least 10 fthigh and 4 feet from any trees or structures

Q40. Building a sturdy shed to secure yourtrashcans from bears

Q44. Removing bird/wildlife feeders at night andstoring them in a secure location

Q42. Using a bear-resistant trashcan that maycost $6-8 per month in addition to what you pay

for your normal waste service

Q43. Installing an electric fence to keep bearsfrom trash cans and other items that attract bears

Percent (n=1289)

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who agree or disagree that they would be willing to take each of the following actions recommended by FWC

to reduce conflicts with bears:

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know


72

61

58

60

45

51

38

36

15

78

69

67

56

47

56

43

31

13

76

64

60

54

59

48

40

24

15

75

58

66

50

48

47

32

35

10

0 20 40 60 80 100


Q46. Removing your outdoor pet food andbowls at night and storing them in a secure

location








Q43. Installing an electric fence to keep bearsfrom trash cans and other items that attract

bears

Percent

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who strongly agree that they would be willing to take each of the following actions recommended by FWC to

reduce conflicts with bears:



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


91

83

83

85

78

69

57

61

26

90

82

83

77

77

67

60

53

29

87

84

78

77

71

79

61

55

29

90

76

81

75

65

67

50

53

21

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who strongly agree or moderately agree that they would be willing to take each of the following actions

recommended by FWC to reduce conflicts with bears:

West Panhandle(n=175)

East Panhandle(n=175)

North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


69

30

34

24

18

10

13

11

7

58

34

27

27

13

15

9

10

6

61

38

31

17

17

21

18

11

9

67

37

37

26

25

14

13

12

5

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who moderately disagree or strongly disagree that

they would be willing to take each of the following actions recommended by FWC to




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


44

18

21

15

11

6

9

8

4

43

26

18

20

8

9

4

7

2

48

28

20

12

12

14

11

10

6

54

25

23

13

13

10

9

7

4

0 20 40 60 80 100


bears



Q44. Removing bird/wildlife feeders at nightand storing them in a secure location






location

Q39. Keeping your trashcan in a securelocation until the morning of trash pickup

Percent

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who strongly disagree that they would be willing to take each of the following actions recommended by FWC




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


77

74

69

61

54

49

42

37

14

82

72

68

64

56

54

40

36

11

80

70

66

61

55

56

49

44

15

0 20 40 60 80 100



location









bears

Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


93

88

88

81

77

72

62

55

29

94

89

87

82

82

78

61

63

31

95

89

87

84

78

76

67

67

26

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent



Central(n=191)

SouthCentral(n=213)

South(n=179)


66

37

28

19

16

14

7

5

3

58

25

27

14

11

11

9

6

2

66

22

24

19

16

10

11

6

2

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent




Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


52

26

18

10

7

3

6

4

1

42

18

16

6

6

5

4

3

1

52

18

15

10

12

9

7

5

2

0 20 40 60 80 100


bears









location


Percent



Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


81

74

69

64

56

57

44

45

19

80

76

73

60

58

53

46

39

9

77

65

64

60

52

51

42

37

10

79

66

57

55

47

55

38

30

15

0 20 40 60 80 100



location









bears

Percent



Large city or urbanarea (n=269)

Suburban area(n=259)

Small city or town(n=481)

Rural area (n=269)


94

89

85

84

79

73

62

64

33

96

90

91

82

84

78

64

61

23

93

86

88

80

75

75

65

62

28

90

82

79

78

72

72

57

54

28

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent



Large city orurban area(n=269)Suburbanarea (n=259)

Small city ortown (n=481)

Rural area(n=269)


61

27

27

22

16

12

13

6

4

64

29

23

15

10

10

6

5

2

66

25

27

16

16

14

7

8

4

63

38

33

20

19

12

17

10

4

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent







Rural area (n=269)


50

20

17

11

13

7

11

5

3

48

23

17

6

7

7

3

3

1

49

17

15

10

7

6

3

5

3

48

27

22

11

11

6

11

7

3

0 20 40 60 80 100


bears









location


Percent






Rural area (n=269)


81

72

72

63

55

51

43

36

15

13

16

18

18

22

20

21

23

8

1

1

3

6

4

8

6

9

14

2

3

4

7

11

12

17

26

57

0 20 40 60 80 100











Percent (n=371)

Q39-Q47. Percent of respondents who agree or disagree that they would be willing to take each of the actions recommended by FWC to reduce conflicts with bears. (Bear county residents.)

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know


5

6

4

6

77

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q58. Do you agree or disagree that it is okay to feed wildlife or to leave food out for wildlife?

11%

83%


3

9

5

10

73

1

3

9

1

12

74

0

3

4

3

11

77

2

4

14

3

10

68

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

12%

12%

6% *

18%

83%

86%

88%

78%


4

3

4

5

83

1

5

9

3

6

76

1

7

3

6

6

76

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

88%

82%

81% *

7%

14%

11% *


7

5

2

6

79

2

8

3

9

3

75

2

3

8

3

6

79

1

4

5

3

12

74

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

11% *

11%

11%

10% *

85%

78%

85%

86%




5

6

1

7

79

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=371)


(Bear county residents.)

11%

86%


64

33

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q59. Are you aware that it is illegal to feed bears in Florida?


57

39

4

68

29

3

64

35

2

65

33

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


63

36

2

62

37

1

66

29

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


63

33

4

61

37

2

63

36

1

73

22

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)


74

24

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q59. Are you aware that it is illegal to feed bears in Florida? (Bear county residents.)



this graph.)

41

40

40

39

38

37

36

36

36

35

35

34

33

33

33

33

32

30

30

29

29

29

28

26

24

23

0 20 40 60 80 100

18-34 years old




Female






Lives in North BMU


Total


35-54 years old







Lives in South BMU

Male




Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who are not aware that it is illegal to feed bears in

Florida:


67

18

3

4

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support

Neither support noroppose

Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q60. Do you support or oppose the use of penalties, such as fines, for people who feed

bears?

84% *

10%


59

25

4

8

4

1

67

20

3

5

3

1

66

19

5

6

2

2

61

20

3

6

9

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport

Neither supportnor oppose

Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


bears?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

84%

87%

85%

81%

12%

8%

8%

15%


67

16

4

3

8

2

67

19

3

4

4

2

68

16

3

3

6

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


bears?

Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

83%

86%

84%

11%

8%

9%


70

15

4

3

4

4

64

22

2

3

7

2

67

19

2

4

6

2

66

14

7

4

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


bears?




Rural area (n=269)

85%

86%

86%

80%

7%

10%

10%

10%


67

20

3

3

4

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support


Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=371)


bears? (Bear county residents.)

88% *

7%


70

17

3

3

5

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support


Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q61. Do you support or oppose requiring people through the use of laws and ordinances

to keep their trash secure so bears cannot access it in areas with high numbers of

human-bear conflicts?

87%

8%


65

18

5

3

8

1

65

19

2

6

8

1

76

16

3

1

2

1

62

20

5

5

6

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

83%

84%

92%

82%

11%

14%

4% *

11%


69

11

5

2

10

2

75

16

1

3

3

1

67

22

2

3

3

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

80%

92% *

89%

13% *

5% *

6%


75

17

1

1

4

2

73

15

3

2

4

3

66

19

3

5

6

1

64

18

4

4

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


to keep their trash secure so bears cannot access it in areas with high numbers of human-

bear conflicts?




Rural area (n=269)

91% *

88%

85%

83% *

5%

7% *

11%




71

14

4

4

5

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support


Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=371)



human-bear conflicts? (Bear county residents.)

85%

9%


OPINIONS ON BLACK BEAR HABITAT IN FLORIDA

� Just over half of Florida residents (53%) agree that there is enough habitat for bears in the

state; a little over a third (35%) disagree.

• The West and East Panhandle and the Big Bend units have the highest percentages of

residents who agree.

• Urban residents have the lowest percentage disagreeing.

• Among residents of the selected bear counties, compared to residents overall, there is a

slightly lower percentage who agree and a higher percentage who disagree with the

statement that there is enough habitat for bears in Florida.

� Black bear habitat is overwhelmingly considered important, as 96% of Florida residents

agree with the statement, “Keeping habitat for black bears is important.”

• All of the crosstabulations found overwhelming majorities agreeing with the statement.


28

25

4

16

18

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q32. There is enough habitat for bears in Florida.

53%

35% *




31

28

5

18

12

6

41

24

3

10

15

6

26

23

4

16

24

8

28

33

6

13

15

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

30%

25%

40%

28%

59%

66% *

48% *

61%




29

21

3

22

18

6

23

31

6

16

17

8

30

22

5

14

20

9

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

41% *

33%

34%

51%

54%

52%




33

26

3

10

19

10

25

29

1

16

21

8

26

23

10

22

15

5

33

22

2

14

21

9

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)

58% *

54%

49%

55%

29%

37%

37%

35%




29

21

3

20

21

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q32. There is enough habitat for bears in Florida. (Bear county residents.)

51% *

41%




76

17

2

2

2

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q33. Keeping habitat for black bears is important.

4%

93%


76

20

1

1

1

1

74

18

1

2

4

1

73

20

1

1

3

3

73

22

2

0

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

96%

92%

93%

94% *

2%

5%

3% *

2%




85

9

1

4

1

0

73

20

3

3

2

0

73

20

1

1

3

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

94%

93%

93%

5%

5%

4%


79

15

1

2

2

1

78

19

0

1

1

1

74

18

2

4

2

1

73

18

3

1

4

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent





Rural area (n=269)4%

2%

5% *

5%

94%

97%

91% *

91%




81

13

1

2

1

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q33. Keeping habitat for black bears is important. (Bear county residents.)

95% *

3%




OPINIONS ON HUNTING

� Three questions asked about opinions on regulated hunting: one question about hunting in

general and then about hunting black bears in the state and about hunting black bears in the

respondent’s county of residence. Support among all residents of the state far exceeds

opposition regarding hunting in general: 70% support, while 22% oppose (the remainder are

neutral). However, residents are more polarized regarding hunting black bears, with 48%

supporting/43% opposing hunting of black bears in the state, and 40% supporting/48%

opposing hunting of black bears in their county.

• In looking at bear management units, support for hunting in general is markedly lower in

the South Central and South units.

• Support for hunting in general is highest among rural residents. On the other hunting

opinion questions, the crosstabulation by residency found no marked differences.

• Regarding the selected bear counties, support is higher for hunting in general and for

hunting black bears in the state and in the county. Another set of graphs shows a

comparison of those who live in the selected bear counties and those who do not.

o Omnigraphs are included of these questions, showing respondent characteristics


� Five questions asked about residents’ support for or opposition to hunting of black bears with

knowledge of certain aspects of black bear hunting in mind. Support for hunting black bears

is highest when respondents know that the FWC carefully monitors the population as well as

when respondents know that the goal is to keep the populations at their current levels where

the populations are abundant and healthy. These are more ecological aspects that resonate

well; human-centered aspects, like the statement that black bears are killed in vehicle

accidents, do not resonate as well.

• For the crosstabulations by bear management unit, the color-coded data presentation that

was used for the overall results cannot be used. Instead, four graphs are shown for these

crosstabulated data runs: the percentages strongly supporting, the percentages strongly or

moderately supporting combined, the percentages strongly or moderately opposing

combined, and the percentages strongly opposing.


48

22

6

5

18

2

29

19

7

8

35

3

24

16

8

9

39

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support


Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q66, Q67, and Q68. Do you support or oppose...? (Residents statewide.)

Q66. Regulated hunting of anywildlife

Q67. The regulated hunting ofblack bears in Florida

Q68. The regulated hunting ofblack bears in your county

70%

48%

40%

22% *

43%

48%




56

23

4

4

12

1

53

28

5

6

7

0

57

21

3

6

13

0

55

24

2

5

12

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q66. Do you support or oppose regulated hunting of any wildlife?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

80% *

81%

78%

79%

16%

13%

19%

17%


54

26

3

2

12

2

40

25

8

10

15

2

46

17

8

2

26

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

80%

66% *

63%

14%

25%

28%


50

18

3

4

24

1

43

26

9

5

14

3

49

24

6

6

14

0

52

23

5

2

15

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q66. Regulated hunting of any wildlife?




Rural area (n=269)

68%

69%

73%

76% *

28%

19%

20%

16% *




33

19

5

11

29

2

37

28

7

5

23

1

33

23

3

10

28

4

34

16

12

8

27

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q67. Do you support or oppose the regulated hunting of black bears in Florida?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

53% *

64% *

55% *

50%

40%

27% *

38%

35%


35

23

6

9

26

2

21

21

10

9

37

3

29

13

5

6

43

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

35%

45% *

49%

58%

42%

42%


31

20

7

5

35

2

28

16

7

9

36

4

27

20

8

10

34

1

32

19

5

10

30

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q67. The regulated hunting of black bears in Florida?




Rural area (n=269)

51%

44%

48% *

51%

40%

45%

43% *

40%




31

21

4

14

28

2

37

23

7

6

26

1

30

21

4

13

28

4

24

17

8

10

39

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q68. Do you support or oppose the regulated hunting of black bears in your county?



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)

52%

60%

51%

41%

42%

32%

41%

49%


31

18

8

11

31

2

18

18

9

11

41

4

22

11

8

6

47

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)

48% *

35% *

33%

41% *

52%

53%


24

14

8

6

40

8

24

15

9

6

41

4

24

18

8

13

37

1

26

16

7

13

35

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Q68. The regulated hunting of black bears in your county?




Rural area (n=269)

38%

40% *

41% *

42%

46%

48% *

50%

47% *




55

24

4

5

11

2

35

23

2

11

29

1

30

19

4

13

33

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support


Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=371)

Q66, Q67, and Q68. Do you support or oppose...?. (Bear county residents.)

Q66. Regulated hunting of any wildlife

Q67. The regulated hunting of blackbears in Florida

Q68. The regulated hunting of blackbears in your county

16%

40%

46%

79%

57% *

49%




55

24

4

5

11

2

46

22

7

4

20

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent


Lives in selected bearcounty (n=371)

Does not live in selectedbear county (n=918)


35

23

2

11

29

1

28

17

8

7

36

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





30

19

4

13

33

1

23

15

9

8

41

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






this graph.)

94

91

81

80

80

79

79

79

79

78

78

75

74

74

73

71

70

70

68

66

66

65

63

63

58

37

0 20 40 60 80 100










Male

Lives in North BMU




35-54 years old


Total

18-34 years old





Female

Lives in South BMU



Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who strongly or moderately support regulated

hunting of any wildlife:



this graph.)

44

33

28

27

27

25

25

25

24

24

22

21

20

20

19

18

17

17

16

16

16

16

14

13

6

6

0 20 40 60 80 100



Lives in South BMU


Female


18-34 years old




Total


35-54 years old


Lives in North BMU


Male










Percent

Percent of each of the following groups who strongly or moderately oppose regulated

hunting of any wildlife:



this graph.)

70

64

61

58

57

57

55

55

55

54

53

51

50

50

48

48

47

45

45

44

44

42

42

40

33

27

0 20 40 60 80 100






Male

Lives in North BMU








35-54 years old

Total



18-34 years old



Lives in South BMU


Female



Percent


hunting of black bears in Florida:



this graph.)

64

57

51

49

49

48

47

47

45

44

43

42

42

40

40

38

38

38

37

37

35

35

34

29

27

23

0 20 40 60 80 100



Female

Lives in South BMU

18-34 years old






Total


35-54 years old





Lives in North BMU





Male




Percent


hunting of black bears in Florida:



this graph.)

60

53

52

51

49

49

49

48

46

45

45

44

42

41

40

40

39

38

38

37

37

35

33

32

30

23

0 20 40 60 80 100




Lives in North BMU



Male








Total

35-54 years old




18-34 years old



Lives in South BMU

Female



Percent


hunting of black bears in their county:



this graph.)

66

59

57

54

53

53

53

52

51

49

49

49

48

47

46

43

43

43

42

42

41

41

38

35

35

32

0 20 40 60 80 100



Female

18-34 years old


Lives in South BMU





35-54 years old


Total









Lives in North BMU

Male




Percent


hunting of black bears in their county:


39

39

35

32

31

23

24

20

21

22

6

6

6

6

8

22

24

27

27

28

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q70. If you knew that the FWC was carefullymonitoring the black bear population to ensure

that hunting would be compatible with maintaininghealthy, sustainable bear numbers

Q71. If the goal was to keep the number of blackbears at their current levels in certain areas where

bear populations are abundant and healthy

Q72. If money hunters pay for permits were usedprimarily to reduce human-bear conflicts like

paying for bear-resistant trash cans

Q74. If you knew that 32 other states, and allstates with over 600 bears, use huntingsuccessfully as part of their black bear

management approach

Q73. If you knew that more than 200 are killed bycars each year due to increasing numbers and

expanding populations

Percent (n=1289)

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would support or oppose hunting for black bear in Florida in each of the following situations:

Strongly support

Moderately support

Neither support nor oppose

Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

62 28

63 30

55 34*

54* 33

53 36




45

43

38

35

28

45

46

46

43

38

45

45

42

38

39

41

37

36

31

25

0 20 40 60 80 100


that hunting would be compatible withmaintaining healthy, sustainable bear numbers

Q71. If the goal was to keep the number ofblack bears at their current levels in certain

areas where bear populations are abundant andhealthy

Q72. If money hunters pay for permits wereused primarily to reduce human-bear conflicts

like paying for bear-resistant trash cans


management approach

Q73. If you knew that more than 200 are killedby cars each year due to increasing numbers

and expanding populations

Percent

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would strongly support hunting for black bear in Florida in each of the following situations:



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


75

71

66

63

59

75

70

68

69

61

76

72

70

63

64

65

69

58

57

49

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q71. If the goal was to keep the number of blackbears at their current levels in certain areas

where bear populations are abundant and healthy






management approach



Percent

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would strongly support or moderately support hunting for black bear in Florida in each of the following

situations:

WestPanhandle(n=175)

EastPanhandle(n=175)

North(n=175)

Big Bend(n=181)


30

27

24

22

19

26

22

24

22

18

24

27

22

20

16

34

30

32

25

29

0 20 40 60 80 100




management approach





Q71. If the goal was to keep the number of blackbears at their current levels in certain areaswhere bear populations are abundant and

healthy

Percent

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would moderately oppose or strongly oppose hunting for black bear in Florida in each of the following

situations:



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


22

19

20

17

16

22

20

20

18

15

17

18

15

11

12

27

21

23

20

19

0 20 40 60 80 100


and expanding populations


like paying for bear-resistant trash cans


management approach



Q71. If the goal was to keep the number ofblack bears at their current levels in certainareas where bear populations are abundant

and healthy

Percent

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would strongly oppose hunting for black bear in Florida in each of the following situations:



North (n=175)

Big Bend (n=181)


45

43

41

37

32

36

37

30

26

28

35

36

32

31

32

0 20 40 60 80 100


areas where bear populations are abundant andhealthy?


that hunting would be compatible withmaintaining healthy, sustainable bear numbers?


like paying for bear-resistant trash cans?


management approach?


and expanding populations?

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


69

73

64

60

57

60

58

53

51

51

55

54

47

47

48

0 20 40 60 80 100


healthy?


that hunting would be compatible with maintaininghealthy, sustainable bear numbers?


paying for bear-resistant trash cans?




expanding populations?

Percent


situations:

Central(n=191)

South Central(n=213)

South (n=179)


34

29

30

25

23

37

36

36

33

31

40

39

37

34

33

0 20 40 60 80 100








healthy?



Percent


situations:

Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


25

22

23

19

18

24

27

29

26

23

37

35

32

29

28

0 20 40 60 80 100








and healthy?


that hunting would be compatible withmaintaining healthy, sustainable bear

numbers?

Percent


Central (n=191)


South (n=179)


44

44

42

37

37

41

41

34

33

31

36

37

32

27

28

36

32

32

33

29

0 20 40 60 80 100




areas where bear populations are abundant andhealthy?







Percent





Rural area (n=269)


62

62

57

55

55

68

63

55

52

51

62

63

57

54

54

61

63

53

56

51

0 20 40 60 80 100


healthy?


that hunting would be compatible with maintaininghealthy, sustainable bear numbers?







Percent


situations:

Large city orurban area(n=269)

Suburbanarea (n=259)


Rural area(n=269)


31

34

32

30

28

40

33

35

24

28

37

31

32

32

27

34

36

34

29

29

0 20 40 60 80 100








healthy?



Percent


situations:

Large city orurban area(n=269)



Rural area(n=269)


25

29

28

26

25

33

26

27

19

20

27

24

26

24

22

27

28

25

23

22

0 20 40 60 80 100








and healthy?


that hunting would be compatible withmaintaining healthy, sustainable bear

numbers?

Percent





Rural area (n=269)


44

42

40

34

32

22

27

21

23

26

8

4

7

6

9

21

19

22

25

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q71. If the goal was to keep the number of blackbears at their current levels in certain areas where

bear populations are abundant and healthy






management approach



Percent (n=371)

Q70-Q74. Percent of respondents who would support or oppose hunting for black bear in

Florida in each of the situations. (Bear county residents.)

Strongly support

Moderately support

Neither support nor oppose

Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

66 29

23

29

31

34

69

60*

57

57*




DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

� The following demographic data were obtained primarily for weighting and for

crosstabulations and further analysis. The statewide data are shown.

• Gender.

• Age. Note that the survey is of adults, not all residents (i.e., not including minors), so the

data show adult age groupings and the mean and median age among adults.

• Years lived in Florida.

• Education.

• Household income.


48

52

0 20 40 60 80 100

Male

Female

Percent (n=1289)

Q97. Respondent's gender (not asked; observed by interviewer).


21

15

16

14

15

10

1

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

65 years old orolder

55-64 years old

45-54 years old

35-44 years old

25-34 years old

18-24 years old

Don't know

Refused

Percent (n=1289)

Q90. May I ask your age?

Mean adult age = 48.92Median adult age = 49


43

11

16

10

7

7

5

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Over 25 years

21-25 years

16-20 years

11-15 years

6-10 years

5 years or less

Refused

Don't know

Percent (n=1289)

Q87. How many years have you lived in Florida?

Mean = 28.07


5

24

16

15

22

10

3

2

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Not a high schoolgraduate

High school graduateor equivalent

Some college or tradeschool, no degree

Associate's or tradeschool degree

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Professional ordoctorate degree

Don't know

Refused

Percent (n=1289)

Q81. What is the highest level of education you have completed?


8

13

14

9

5

5

10

6

30

0 20 40 60 80 100

Under $20,000

$20,000-$39,999

$40,000-$59,999

$60,000-$79,999

$80,000-$99,999

$100,000-$119,999

$120,000 or more

Don't know

Refused

Percent (n=1289)

Q82. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last

year?


ABOUT RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT

Responsive Management is an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research

firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Our mission is to help natural

resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their

constituents, customers, and the public.

Utilizing our in-house, full-service telephone, mail, and web-based survey facilities with 50

professional interviewers, we have conducted more than 1,000 telephone surveys, mail surveys,

personal interviews, and focus groups, as well as numerous marketing and communication plans,

needs assessments, and program evaluations.

Clients include the federal natural resource and land management agencies, most state fish and

wildlife agencies, state departments of natural resources, environmental protection agencies, state

park agencies, tourism boards, most of the major conservation and sportsmen’s organizations, and

numerous private businesses. Responsive Management also collects attitude and opinion data for

many of the nation’s top universities.

Specializing in research on public attitudes toward natural resource and outdoor recreation issues,

Responsive Management has completed a wide range of projects during the past 25 years, including

dozens of studies of hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, boaters, park visitors, historic site visitors,

hikers, birdwatchers, campers, and rock climbers. Responsive Management has conducted studies

on endangered species; waterfowl and wetlands; and the reintroduction of large predators such as

wolves, grizzly bears, and the Florida panther.

Responsive Management has assisted with research on numerous natural resource ballot initiatives

and referenda and has helped agencies and organizations find alternative funding and increase their

membership and donations. Additionally, Responsive Management has conducted major

organizational and programmatic needs assessments to assist natural resource agencies and

organizations in developing more effective programs based on a solid foundation of fact.


Responsive Management has conducted research on public attitudes toward natural resources and

outdoor recreation in almost every state in the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia, the

United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. Responsive Management has also conducted focus

groups and personal interviews with residents of the African countries of Algeria, Cameroon,

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Responsive Management routinely conducts surveys in Spanish and has conducted surveys in

Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese and has completed numerous studies with specific target

audiences, including Hispanics; African-Americans; Asians; women; children; senior citizens; urban,

suburban, and rural residents; large landowners; and farmers.

Responsive Management’s research has been upheld in U.S. District Courts; used in peer-reviewed

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florida residents’ opinions on black bears and black … · 2019-06-18 · bears are a problem in...

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