Report: FWC commissioner Gary Nicklaus resigns ahead of vote on Florida’s controversial bear hunt

Gary Nicklaus is resigning from his post as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission, according to reports.

The FWC, headed by seven commissioners appointed by the governor, is increasingly seen by critics as a body that prioritizes the interests of private sector development groups over environmental conservation.

Nicklaus, a former professional golfer himself and the son of famed golfer Jack Nicklaus, was initially appointed to the commission in late 2017 and reappointed in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Nicklaus’s term was due to end in August 2027.

Florida Politics notes that Gary Nicklaus has not publicly commented on his resignation, citing sources that claim he was “‘uncomfortable’ with the prospect of casting a vote on the hunt.”

The early resignation comes just before FWC’s final vote on a controversial bear hunting proposal scheduled for this month. The Florida Sierra Club is even running shuttles to bring environmentalists from across the state to the FWC’s Wednesday, Aug. 13 meeting for public comment.

A final vote could clear the way for the first sanctioned black bear hunting season in the state in a decade.

Proponents of the hunt point to black bear population growth and tout hunting as an effective population management tool. Opponents of the hunt argue non-lethal methods including bear-proof trash cans would be more effective for humanely reducing conflict between human and bear populations.

Critics also point to the last hunt in 2015, which wildlife officials had to shut down after hunters killed nearly the entire quota of bears in only two days.

The FWC has a broad mandate including law enforcement, wildlife and habitat management, fisheries management, and conservation research to ensure the preservation and responsible use of Florida’s natural resources—including those in state parks.

In August 2024, Tampa Bay Times uncovered a DeSantis administration plan to commercially develop nine state parks with hotels, golf courses and pickleball courts. The plan was abandoned after intense public backlash, including opposition from elected officials.

Amidst the state parks controversy, Gary Nicklaus’s position as an FWC commissioner drew scrutiny for his ties to golf course development companies with a history of projects on public land.

Gary Nicklaus previously denied involvement in the proposed commercial development involving Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Jupiter, Florida.

Nicklaus isn’t the only FWC commissioner with ties to private sector development groups.

In a Monday statement, the governor’s office announced that Joshua Kellam is appointed as the new FWC commissioner.

Kellam was previously on the commission and is the president of The Garcia Companies, a development firm.

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This article appears in Aug 7-13, 2025.