The Self Defense Act of 2024 allows for the taking of bears, without any penalties, under specific circumstances.

Jerome, Fla., resident Robert Markel was found dead 100 yards away from his home, and DNA was found on his body from a 263-pound male black bear Officials have only documented 42 incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people in Florida since the 1970s An 89-year-old man and his dog have died in a black bear attack in southwest Florida — the first of its kind confirmed fatal attack in the state's history.