Florida Man Shoots Bear in Home Invasion Incident

On September 19, 2023, Zeke Clark, a resident of DeLand, Florida, shot a bear that had entered his family's home. The bear, having wandered from nearby woodlands, initially became trapped in the garage. After becoming agitated and breaking free, it entered the house, ultimately finding its way into a bathroom. Clark, whose mother-in-law was present in the living room, managed to close the bathroom door behind the bear. He then fired three shots, successfully killing the animal before dragging it outside for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to handle.

Florida man shoots bear after it breaks into his family homePatchAmmoland

The incident in Florida reflects a broader trend of increasing bear encounters in residential areas, particularly as bears search for food before winter hibernation. Similar incidents have been reported in other states, including Montana, where multiple bear shootings have occurred in self-defense situations.

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In Montana, several bear-related incidents have been documented in 2023. For instance, on June 3, a landowner near Condon encountered a grizzly bear that charged at him while he was checking on his livestock. The landowner shot the bear in self-defense, emerging unharmed. Another incident on June 11 involved a man who shot a grizzly bear that threatened him after he heard disturbances outside his home. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks reported that these defensive shootings are becoming more common, with 26 grizzly bear deaths recorded by September 2025, many attributed to self-defense.

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Critics of bear management practices argue that increasing human-bear interactions highlight the need for better wildlife management strategies. Some residents express concern over the safety of their families and pets, advocating for measures to prevent bears from entering populated areas. In Connecticut, for example, authorities have advised residents to take precautions to avoid bear encounters, emphasizing the importance of securing food sources and waste.

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Zeke Clark expressed gratitude that the situation did not escalate further, stating, “This could’ve been a much worse situation. I’m thankful for that.” Meanwhile, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks continues to monitor bear populations and incidents, emphasizing the importance of public safety and wildlife conservation.

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• “Door shut behind him…. You can tell bear freaked out that a bunch of damage in here because he couldn’t get out. Then he came to this door… bent this door. Got this door open.” — Zeke Clark, Homeowner

Florida man shoots bear after it breaks into his family home

• “the bear looked as big as an elephant coming toward us.” — Justin, Witness to Montana Incident

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As bear encounters continue to rise, wildlife agencies in both Florida and Montana are likely to increase public awareness campaigns regarding bear safety and management. The ongoing monitoring of bear populations and incidents will be crucial in addressing the challenges posed by these wildlife interactions.

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