News Summary
A homeowner in DeLand fatally shot a Black bear after it invaded his home, raising concerns about bear encounters in the area. The bear entered through the garage, alarming the resident’s family. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but local wildlife officials are urging residents to take precautions as bears seek food for winter. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is promoting awareness regarding bear safety and encouraging the community to eliminate food attractants.
Florida – A homeowner in DeLand fatally shot a Black bear after the animal broke into his residence on September 19. The incident has raised concerns about bear encounters as local wildlife officials urge residents to take precautions.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that the bear entered Clark’s home through the garage, where it became trapped when the door closed behind it. During the incident, Clark’s mother-in-law was sitting in the living room when the bear appeared, causing her to scream. Dogs barked as the bear attempted to escape down the hallway, ultimately becoming confined in the bathroom. To protect his family, Clark managed to shut the bathroom door and fired his gun three times at the bear before it could find a way out.
Following the shooting, Clark dragged the bear’s body outside using a tarp. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported to anyone inside the house. However, FWC officials discovered damage to the exterior door that was consistent with entry by a bear, indicating a significant encounter.
The FWC is now actively engaging with the local community to promote awareness regarding bear activity and safety measures. As autumn approaches, bears are known to seek food to build fat reserves for the winter months, increasing the likelihood of such encounters. To mitigate these risks, the FWC advises residents to eliminate potential food attractants, such as unsecured garbage and bird feeders, and to ensure that outside doors are locked at night.
Residents are encouraged to report any bear sightings or incidents via the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Awareness of bear safety is critical, especially since Clark’s home has been the site of previous bear encounters, including an earlier instance where he successfully guided a bear out of his garage without incident.
In light of these events, Clark expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further, acknowledging the fear that comes with facing such a large animal. The FWC has made it clear that bears conditioned to seek food from human sources are more likely to encounter conflicts with people, emphasizing the dangers associated with feeding wildlife.
As the community of DeLand navigates this incident, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of both residents and wildlife, while promoting best practices to avoid similar situations in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 35 Orlando
- Wikipedia: Black bear
- News Journal Online
- Google Search: Florida bear encounters
- CBS News Miami
- Google Scholar: Florida black bear incidents
- Miami Herald
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida bears
- Sebastian Daily
- Google News: Florida bear shot
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
