Kerrdog, where approx. are you located? I hunt in the Palatka to Interlachen area and we are loaded with bears. Just two weekends ago I had a bear not 15 yds from me as I climbed into my stand. I didn't realize this until getting into my stand, smell, and hear something...I removed the red filter from my flashlight and shined him. He could have cared less....me I'm not so sure.
As for Florida deer being "small", sometimes I wonder. Several years ago my father killed a 6pt that weighed (FWC scale) "dress-out" 180lbs. Not sure how this relates to 'dem yankee hoss's' but not small. Fer sure he ded tho' som'eres...spit!