SANTA ROSA RESIDENTS PUSH FOR BEAR HUNT

This week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is set to vote on a possible black bear hunt for the state. The FWC says this hunt would help overpopulation across the state -- specifically in the 'east panhandle zone'. But the closest county in that region to us is Bay County. Some Santa Rosa County residents and elected officials believe black bears should be hunted here as well. District One Representative Michelle Salzman says black bear overpopulation is a real issue in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties. The last black bear hunt happened in 2015 and ended in just two days when the hunting quota was met.