Well, it took (5) long years; millions of non-hunting citizens that understand and support hunting, a Governor that does not put politics ahead of human safety, nor allows emotional rhetoric to overrule professional biologists and Fish & Game experts but finally; the long overdue hunt is now scheduled for this year.
Plain common-sense has trumped the anti-hunting/animal-right charade-parade that has caused the New Jersey black bear population to grow out-of-control. Bottom-line; No wild-animal/mammal can be simply left to propagate to whatever numbers they can reach, especially one that poses a serious threat to human safety; they are at the top of the food chain, do not fear humans and are overpopulated.
Now be prepared for a final onslaught of misleading lies and information from the various anti-hunting/animal-right groups. They are losing their final foothold on the “only” state in the nation with a large black bear population that allowed emotional outcry and politics to interfere with professional wildlife managers and biologists that determined hunting was required for black bear population control.
(1) Let’s start with the “Bear Group” who preys on the emotions of many honest people that have a problem dealing with the killing of any animal and sucking emotional money out of them through promoting the illusion that “garbage-control” will somehow solve the problem of overpopulation.
The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has made the public aware of the need for garbage control long ago, but let’s give some credit to the Bear Group; they did help F&W by getting this message more attention. Garbage control is important not only for black bears, but raccoons and rats and general health; not overpopulation.
But now they are wasting donation money on? The purchase of (6) billboards, in (6) different locations in northwest N.J. to protest the bear hunt. Janet Pizar, queen of illusion was quoted as saying; “the billboards are generating enormous opposition from the public”. Sure Pizar, right “in your dreams”. Not the citizens of N.J., not the people living in bear country, not even the people in some (21) counties that now realize that overpopulated black bears are relocating to places they never were in before.
There is no better way to “protect” the black bear than reducing their population to a number that allows them to thrive in their own natural environment. Protect them? Yes because if they are allowed to continue to propagate, to break into garages, houses, attack humans, domestic pets and livestock they will soon be labeled vermin.
(2) This then leads us to the next group; Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club who was quoted as saying; “The bears that will ultimately pay the price of a hunt will be those living in the forests that do not venture into neighborhoods and communities”
Jeff, have you travelled throughout New Jersey black bear country at all? Nearly every community that has black bear problems is surrounded by either State Hunting Land or private lands leased by hunting clubs. These are the lands that will be hunted.
Jeff, the problem is land development and overpopulation do you know what happens when land is developed? Wildlife moves, they have no room so they move Jeff. Reduce the black bear population and you open up the forests so they “gain” room, so the PAPA bears don’t chase out the youngsters and they can drift back to the privacy of the open forests that remain.
Now here you go; Tittel states; “his groups’ position that if a bear hunt is held in the state it should be a management hunt, not a recreational hunt”.
Why is that? Labeling a hunt as recreational is a copout of some sort. Every state includes recreational hunting as part of? “Wildlife Management”. Every hunt is a management hunt and when the experts foresee a problem with hunting a specific species what do they do? Control the process through establishing limits or removing the species from the hunting schedule as they did when? “1970” when both the NJDF&W with the full cooperation of hunters stopped black bear hunting. Guess what, in 1970 citizens didn’t give a hoot about black bears or what their numbers were, it was only NJDF&W and hunters that were concerned.
The last myths to dispel; only hunters want the hunt, this is a Trophy Hunt and they plan to waste the meat and opt for rugs and mounts.
NOT; Millions of non-hunting N.J. citizens support hunting and especially hunting of black bears to bring the numbers to a safe coexisting level.
Sure there are certainly large black bears in N.J., but just like any other species the older, larger animals are the smartest and have the best survival instincts. Hunters are being asked by landowners and the public to use hunting to “reduce” the black bear population and that is the plan.
Black bear meat is edible; butchers throughout the state are ready to prepare the meat for consumption which includes the usual “beef like” cuts of steaks, chops, roasts, stew and chop meat. Many years ago black bears were the only bear species hunted for meat which was considered savory, rather delicious and tastes not unlike pork.
What can be done to protect the black bear? Identify the real problems and work on ways to control it;
Population and Land Development: (Information available to the public from various sources)
Population:
New Jersey’s population is balanced by the migration of our citizens to other states and the influx of international immigrants to take their place. As immigrants move into such counties as Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex and Union citizens move out of state or further to other counties like; Ocean, Somerset, Burlington, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Warren Monmouth and Sussex.
New Jersey between 1990 and 1999 had its natural rate of population growth (births and deaths) nullified by the number of our citizens that moved out-of-state replenished by the influx of international immigrants that contributed to our reported growth.
People are willing to move within the state in spite of increased travel time as the average commute time for Sussex residents is approximately (40) minutes. This movement into previously less developed areas will contribute to the building of new homes further chipping away at farm and forest lands.
Can then anything be done to solve this problem? Does the Federal Government have the power to better control the influx of immigrants? Do our citizens want to stem the flow of immigrants?
If we do nothing then the internal migration from county-to-county will continue and the development of farm and forest will further reduce the natural habitant of our wildlife.
Development of Land:
Statistics indicate that from 1986 – 1995, statewide the rate of newly developed acres per new resident was 0.362 acres per person. A 2000 study indicated that the rate of development 1995-2000 was approximately (50) acres per day or 18,000 acres a year. If that rate of development were to continue, combined with land preservation, New Jersey could have developed all of its buildable land within the next 25 to 30 years.
If we do not stop the development of land through more incentives for farmland preservation, support of state land purchases then the future of not only the black bear but all wildlife is in jeopardy.
So here it is all anti-hunter/animal right people, if you really are concerned about the future of our New Jersey wildlife then get involved in these two last issues.
We need to better understand the problems concerning an uncontrolled influx of immigrants into New Jersey.
We need to support farmland preservation and state land purchases that prevent the development of what farm and forest we have left in New Jersey.
We need to get involved in selecting the right leaders.
We need to put emotions aside and let common-sense lead us and allow professionals with proven track records to develop programs involving wildlife population control.
Well, we all complain at one time or another about this state, the problems are taxes and the high income required to live here, dirty politics and foolish politicians with “vote getting agendas” outweighing what is right for the needs of the people. Most people agree that at this time only the very rich can retire in New Jersey.
It doesn’t have to be this way we need to get involved and select the right leaders, we need to support programs that will help us clean up the problems. We should be concentrating our efforts toward these goals, worrying about a black bear hunt itself is not going to help the black bear as I hope you can better understand the bigger problems that will ultimately do them in.
All of the other (27) states that hold black bear hunts have no issues because through hunting they have been able to maintain thriving, healthy black bear populations year after year, decade after decade.
Hunting itself is our heritage, our legal right to pursue wildlife as a sport or as a food source. It allows many of us to become a part of a past we never new, a time when the world was less complicated, where hard work for most was not measured in dollars but in tilled land, good crops and game on the table. Family time was not centered around computers, television, soap operas or reality shows because life in those days was surreal as it was.
Hunting to the majority is not about “killing” because of the millions of hunters that take to wood and field small percentages come back with game; but it is not the game that makes the hunt it is the time spent with family and friend in a place so far removed from the hectic pace of today as to make every minute special and worthwhile. Many hunting stories at the end of a day are about wildlife, some chipmunk spending hours gathering food, some bird building a nest, a fox pursuing some rabbit, a coyote sneaking about, a rock formation resembling some animal, water rolling over a bed of rocks. You see when you go hunting it isn’t just walking into the woods blasting away and killing something, it is spending time, hours, sometimes dawn to dusk without ever “killing” anything. Good hunters spend that time to enjoy the outdoors and if along the way they “harvest” game this is a bonus and for most healthy food for the table. What it comes down to is this, we all need to eat and meat is the number one choice of the vast majority, whether you buy it in the supermarket neatly packaged from a slaughter house or harvest it yourself and have it packaged on your own is a personal decision. Slaughtered or harvested the end result was the same. Well, not quite actually hunted animals have a chance to escape as the smartest usually do; slaughter houses give no chance.
When you ride around the various areas like, Northern New Jersey, where rolling farmland meet pine forests, lakes and streams crossing about here and there, small log cabins located on hidden ponds, to South Jersey and the shore where sprawling homes sit ocean front or cozy shore houses dot the side streets. While the board’walks provide entertainment for adults and children alike, a simple shore house is the backdrop for retired couples to enjoy the sound of the waves the songs of the sea gulls while the young too gather about for sun, fun and summer recreation.
New Jersey is just 30 to 40 minutes from one culture to another, from the bright lights of Broadway to the Casinos in Atlantic City, to the farms and forests of Sussex. From placing coins in slot machines to putting coins in some farmers, “leave money here box” as we purchase the most delicious, home grown, New Jersey corn and tomatos.
From macadam and concrete, malls and stores to farms, dirt roads, cows, horses and wildlife, deer always, bears occasionally (lately more occassional than should be) , birds of every kind.
What a beautiful state; lets hope we can keep it this way and that somehow it can go back in time some before greedy developers and selfish politicians put us on a course where many have to leave our roots and move away.
Hey! Just like the black bear, over-population and land development it will get us all.
Mike D.
NJ Bear Hunt 
Hi Mike–You make some valid points. Bear meat is tasty (I’ve had it), hunters have long been involved (often at the very forefront) of conservation issues, overpopulation and land development are the important issues people should really be concerned about.
But I question your assertion at the beginning of the article that black bears pose a serious threat to human safety. There have been occasional incidents of people getting injured (and very rarely, killed) by black bears, but they are very rare. Do you have some evidence of this danger? How many people have been seriously injured by black bears in the whole of the northeastern states? They may be “at the top of the food chain”, as you state, since not much else eats them, but they are omnivorous (and for the most part are vegetarians).
There likely are valid reasons for New Jersey to allow bear hunting (since I don’t live there, I can’t say much more than that), but I’m afraid the “danger to the public” angle is misguided. If you were able to convince the public that this is true (and all that will take might be one highly-publicized “incident” in or near NJ, which still won’t change the fact that such events are very rare), perhaps there would be a demand to exterminate or decrease the population to a lower level than you would like. If the anti-hunting groups were able to convince the public that black bears are not a serious danger to the public (and on this one point I think they are closer to the truth than you) then your other points lose credibility.
If the citizens of NJ could understand that bears are not a serious threat to human safety and that hunting them is an acceptable method for 1) controlling populations and 2) helping people get closer to nature (among other good things), perhaps you New Jerseyites could accept a higher bear population than you are now considering, which means more bears seen and enjoyed by nonhunters, and also more bears available for hunters.
Hi Al thank you for reading and responding to my blog. I guess if you are not from New Jersey and apparently have little knowledge of our problems you would not understand the danger level we are living with.
I will give you some public information from the NJDF&W and then the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife websites where if you have the interest and time you can educate yourself a little better.
Serious black bear incidents have increased commensurate with the black bear population by 96% from 2006 through 2009 (the last hunt was 2005)
Just from Jan1, 2010 through June, 2010 (1261) black bear incidents with (76) catagory 1 incidents (the most serious) were reported.
Home entries and attempted home entries by black bears have increased significantly since the late 1990’s and remain unacceptability high despite intensive efforts to eliminate problem bears and despite intensive education efforts.
In recent weeks there have been several serious encounters with aggressive black bears. In Morris County two black bears were shot in separate house breakins.
Black bears are most certainly a serious threat to our citizens safety. Mothers and fathers as well escort their children to bus stops, neighbors leave their car doors open so children have an escape route to safety, playgrounds have teachers posted with warning whistles and children are drilled to respond to the call for assembly and quick routes to the indoors.
Parents no longer can trust letting their children out in their own fenced in backyards.
You can’t work in your own yard and leave the garage doors open, people carry bear spray on their belts and many have guns readily available.
Domestic pets are being killed and livestock as well because you see Al the black bear is from the “carnivore” chain and an “omnivorous” eats both meat and vegetables.
We don’t need to see black bears, our neighborhoods are not public zoos and the black bears don’t need to be dogged by the black bear paparazzi. Black bears need to be reduced in numbers so they can find the room to roam in their own natural habitat away from people.
We need to concentrate on limiting the development of land so we can maintain a black bear population that is safe for coexisting with humans.
You see Al in this year of 2010 we should have all learned a lesson from the past; we heed warning signs, we don’t rely on history when history is being made daily, we don’t wait for some human, more-than-likely some child, to be serious mauled or killed by a black bear, so someone can say I told you so. You say one incident would not change the fact that a black bear killing someone is rare, tell that to the family that lost their loved one Al.
At this point in time this is not about accepting a higher number of bears so we can hunt them, it is about reducing the threat to human safety.
Who are you anyway Al, you know nothing about black bears in N.J. and you make a statement that the anti’s are closer to the truth than me, not just “me” Al but more creditable and important the experienced professionals and BIOLOGISTS, of our NJDF&W , they expressed the dangers. Right back at you Al, this sounds like you are closer to an anti-hunter than a hunter and much worse have little concern for human safety.
When my own Daughter and Grandchildren just made it into the house as a black bear climbed their fenced in backyard and came up on the deck, when my Granddaughter is afraid to look out of her bedroom window and so many other families have experienced the same, it really gets to me when someone like you downplays the dangers and leans on the side of the N.J. anti’s view of the danger. Quite frankly, I could care less about “hunting” black bears I hunt deer, turkeys and small game and our family consumes it all. But I will hunt the black bear, right next to the stateland that borders our development so we can reduce the danger there. We will consume the bear meat as well.
Just for your information I do not have to “convince” the public that the black bear is dangerous, this is a fact and it is not New Jersey’s 125,000 hunters that have called for and support the bear hunt, it is millions of non-hunters that support hunting and live with and fully understand the dangers we live with each day out here in bear country and in the many other counties throughout our state that now have black bears roaming about; the public is convinced Al, and by the most respected authority; the black bear themselves through their own aggressive actions.
I will give you the websites to look at and I would suggest that before you make statements you do a little research. I have been involved in this issue since 2000 researched and wrote over 100 articles and have seen first hand the dangers of overpopulation taking place as the anti’s continue to ignore the warning signs and the advise of the experts of the NJDF&W, as well, as that of the (27) other states that understand the “dangers” involved with overpopulated black bears.
http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsreel/2010/10
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearpolicy10
No one in this state would ever allow the black bears to be exterminated, look at the work and research from our NJDF&W, they brought the black bear back and they will monitor hunts and harvests just like all of the other states. No state that holds black bear hunts has brought down the population to anywhere near extinction or lower levels than is acceptable for their continued existence.
Mike D
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Thank you, follow the comments if you have the time you will find them very intersting.
Mike D
OK—-NJ
I have no problems with bear hunts or hunting in general, but I do have a problem with someone like you supporting them, you twist the facts to suit your argument
OK let us start with your statement Statistics indicate that from 1986 – 1995, statewide the rate of newly developed acres per new resident was 0.362 acres per person. A 2000 study indicated that the rate of development 1995-2000 was approximately (50) acres per day or 18,000 acres a year. If that rate of development were to continue, combined with land preservation, New Jersey could have developed all of its buildable land within the next 25 to 30 years.
DUH how come you changed the rate of development frrom .362 acres per person to 50 acreas per day——how can those 2 stats even be compared
Next why don’t you state you are either racist or prejudice—I think they are the same——you blame the bear problem on immigrants—I won’t even go there
Next why support a hunt in December—–if I am not mistaken most bears are hibernating —-which means sleeping thru the winter at that time—golly gee—that is real sporting to kill a sleeping bear———-why not support a spring or fall hunt, or even a summer hunt——-no you support a hunt when bears are either asleep or very groggy—with your high powered rifle and scope you are afraid to take them on when they are active
Last but least—give me one actual case of a bear attacking a person or invading a house, when that person was not provoking the bear or following procedures that would stop a bear from becoming a nuisance—but again as you twist facts to fit your little idea of what is right
So go on NEW JERSEY kill those sleeping bears—-that have no chance and be proud you can kill the innocent
Plus NJ get your facts to match so we can really compare them and research them
Forgot to add your last paragraph seemed a little wrong—though not black bears——go back to 1995 when Grizzles were on the endangered species list—-I am sure that had nothing to do with hunting and think it was leagal to hunt from helicopters
Plus from legal hunting weren’t several species of wolves on the endangered species list
I could be wrong—-I usually am but check your facts much more carefully
Mis information that you spread is whaT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS——please give straight information—-that is the truth, not twisted to just present your point of few, as most information can now be checked on the net
HAVE A NICE DAY
Duck, you are just another anti-hunter posing as a hunter just to make your anti-hunting points. Furthermore you do not have the intellect to engage in these exchanges.
For example: DUH
Very clear to understand that statistics from 1986 to 1995 regarding development of land at 0.362 acres per person is ONE STATISTIC covering that period of time
AND, NOW READ CAREFULLY DUCK, a 2000 study, now Duck that is 2000, not 1986-1995, indicated the development of land at 50 acres per day.
You see Duck statistics are updated from time period to time period. The point here is to understand that New Jersey has a high rate of land being developed.
Of course, I would expect a quacker like you to try and put some sort of racial spin on a statistic regarding human population growth. Duck “you” just blamed the bear population on immigrants, I cited human population growth in regard to land development and this includes the influx of immigrants, no way to get around human population growth without giving the details. But it is people like you that sift through every word someone prints or says looking to take things out of context and detract from the real issues.
The more you write the easier it is to see that you have no direction at all; FOR EXAMPLES; it is a proven fact that N.J. black bears do not fully hibernate people have reported seeing black bears moving in December, January, February they are not sleeping or groggy.
Then you get even more ridiculous; “high-powered-rifles” a rifle has never and will never be an approved hunting weapon in New Jersey.
Shotguns with scopes, that will do the job, are allowed and this weapon is many steps below a high-powered rifle.
Afraid to take them on when they are active; Duck, people hunt bear with a bow in other states who would be afraid to hunt a bear with a shotgun.
Again, if you can read, which it doesn’t appear like you can, I have given you several sources to verify attacks and breakins. By the way how does one provoke a breakin when no one is at home?; wait I know they are quilty of leaving a baked pie on the kitchen counter and locking the doors on the way out, why they should have left the doors open this way it was not a breakin but an invitation.
Let me see now what I can make from your “straight-information” ;grizzly bears and wolves and hunting from helicopters” and the overpopulated New Jersey black bear, WOW great analogy Duck.
The only one twisting information here is you because you are an anti-hunter and more importantly you have no concern with human safety.
Mis-information is the heart of you anti’s. The facts on any of my blogs can be verified and I just gave you three websites that can be used to substantiate what I have written.
But Duck, you know that don’t you? you frustrated little trickster.
No more time wasted on you Duck, it was good to have you responding though because it gives people a chance to see just how far anti’s will go and more important the kind of non-sense you spout.
Happy quacking Duck
Mike D
I think the propblem is not too many bears it’s too many people. The bears are not at the top of the food chain, humans are an we abuse it. It not the bears in peiople’s backyards it’s the peoplr in the bears back yard. The barbarion practice of calling hunting a “sport” must stop. If bears require more terriory the state should purchase the propery , domolish the house and expand the bear territory. The intrusion of human on animal habitat must stop. Animals have as much rights to habitat as humans . As far as your planned hunt – good luck. There a suprise in store for all the berbarians calling yourselves hunters. I’m not going to be all anonimous like other cowards posting.
Michael C. (he left his full name and address)
(I took this writers last name and address out of here, this blog is not about some wise ass calling people cowards and leaving their address like they want to challange someone to a fight over a bear hunt)
Totally agree with Michael C
Hi Sandy, read my response to the Michael C you agree with then consider it the same reply for you.
Mike D
Hi Michael, thank you for responding to my blog and for joining the small group of demented people that put animal-rights before human-rights, the possible serious injury and/or death of any human second to that of a wild animal.
Being against hunting perfectly acceptable, concerned with development of land, that is what this oped you are responding to is partially about, so I agree PARTIALLY; on the planet EARTH however, we do not demolish houses to expand bear territory and for a very simple reason, allowing the black bear or any wildlife population to expand to whatever numbers they can reach would eventually require all of the land in our country, then we would have to move to whatever planet you are from.
Hunters are sportsmen and conservationists carrying out the perfectly planned wildlife management policies established by the DF&W professional members and biologists.
Hunting is “fair-chase” meaning the hunters pursue game on the animals turf where the animals have the advantage of superior sight, smell and hearing. Wildgame then has a chance to outsmart the hunter and escape that fate and they do so the majority of the time.
Barbarion is a term better suited for the phonies that criticize hunters yet consume beef, veal, pork, chicken, etc.
This barbarion then stalks the supermarket shelves where neatly packaged and wrapped meat disguise the pre-slaughter house conditions, with no possible escape, that prepared these domestic animals for their ultimate death “by slaughter”. (I am not against people that opt for supermarket meat, this is a choice we have in this free country as well)
It is millions of non-hunting “NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS” that support the black bear hunt because unlike people like you we place a high value on human life and human rights. BEFORE ANIMAL RIGHTS.
As for your closing comments calling people cowards and listing your full name and address, I took that out and left a comment as to why.
This is 2010 and any simple threat of violence and people wind up in jail. No one is scared of people like you Michael, for every self imposed tough guy out there you will find 100’s of others that can clean your clock.
This blog is about discussing the N.J. black bear problem on some type of intellectual level and I will not allow people to leave names and addresses for the wrong reasons.
Hope you learned something and by the way I do not see black bears on the endangered species list in your state of New York, where they have been hunted for decades and certainly not in Bay Shore, LI.
Mike D
Mike– In response to your earlier response to me…
You talk about the danger to people, kids, pets, and property from black bears, how people have to watch out for their children and themselves because of the threat of black bears.
I live in an area with lots of bears (northeastern Minnesota) and also a fair number of people (but much more sparse than NJ). People, including children, see bears all the time, (and I’m sure the bears see the kids a lot more often then the kids see the bears!) but I hear less of the kind of alarm that you describe in your state. I also remember how my sister in law’s daughter in Alaska once saw a wolf while she waited for the school bus. It was reported as a really cool sighting–nothing to be alarmed about (I should mention as well that my sister-in-law and her husband are avid big game hunters. Ungulates, anyway–I don’t know if they’ve ever hunted wolf, though her husband has taken a black bear). Sounds like those suburban New Jerseyites have some things to learn about wildlife.
Here in Minnesota there seems to be less polarization on the hunting issue. Hunters criticize other hunters–I know of deer hunters who despise bear hunting, and “food” hunters who don’t think much of trophy hunting. I know very few (actually, none that I know of) here who are totally anti-hunting. Perhaps the hunting tradition is under less of a threat here, so hunters don’t feel so beleaguered that they have to support each other at all costs, or support other hunters even when their arguments are questionable.
Still seems that pro-hunting groups should stop being alarmists at the “danger” of black bears. They’re only slightly, if at all, more dangerous than deer, and certainly less dangerous than moose, but I’ve never heard anyone defend deer or moose hunting because of the danger they represent (except for the danger of moose to drivers). There are plenty of good reasons to hold deer hunts (and bear) without that, as I said earlier. I don’t see good arguments against hunting from the anti-hunters. I would like to see the hunters use the good arguments they have.
Al, what are you talking about do you even know yourself? There is an approximate black bear population of 20,000 in Minn. and approximatly 3000 black bears harvested annually, you have approx. 5,266,000 people spread out over 87,014 square miles.
We have approx. 3500 black bears in NJ the last hunt in 2005 harvested approx. 350, we have 8,707,000 people living in 8,729 square miles, heavily developed.
Your bears are adversely conditioned through hunting, our bears have no fear of humans that bang pots together, beep horns as they parade through developments. Maybe your bears are not a problem Al, ours are.
Sounds like you need to learn a little about making analogies, or trying to make comparisions between two entirely different cultures.
It is NOT hunters Al, it is citizens living in NJ who have their houses broken into, domestic pets killed, livestock killed, humans swiped, they are alarmed Al, they want ‘”HUNTERS” to have black bear hunting seasons, just like you do Al so we can get this overpopulation under control and reduce the “DANGEROUS” conditions we are living with.
We had a minority group of anti-hunting/animal-right people that were able to keep the black bear issue in the political arena until this year when our new Governor Christi pulled the bit on politics and gave the reins back to the NJDF&W and professional biologists.
So Please Al, there is nothing you offer us because you have no clue about the black bear problem in NJ, nor hunting issues, you live in a hunting state we live in an anti-hunting state and it is only through the common sense of our new Governor, who understood the black bear problem, that has united the non-hunting public with hunters because they finally understand the need.
Mike D
Guess I should have also mentioned, that I did respond to your earlier blog post at
http://njbearhunt.com/2008/08/14/doctor-lynn-rogers-and-bears-in-the-myth/
You so called hunters are just a bunch of gun toting cowards itching to legally kill other living creatures and boast about the big trophy that you have hanging on your wall ,in the name of protecting us humans.That is what you are,a coward of a man who tries to justify reasons for your cruelty and blood thirsty way of life.Just itching to kill aren’t you?Big hunter killing an innocent animal that only wants to live and by the way if you are so concerned about saving us humans from bear over population why not consider sterilization programs instead ,but then you might have to find some other innocent creatures to slaughter.Why put a good gun to waste?
Concerned Citizen, learn how to read. The black bear hunt is demanded by millions of non-hunting NJ citizens because their houses and garages are being broken into, domestic pets and livestock killed and humans being attacked.
Hunters Cowards? no I believe that best fits you. Afraid to go out and harvest your own food you close your eyes to the horrible conditions that exist in many slaughter houses. You want to pick up that packaged meat from the supermarket or place your order for steak or veal at some restaurant and pretend that it came from some pill rather than a once living animal.
Sterilization goggle it CC; failed and not even close to becoming a solution.
Very few hunters put trophies on the wall, it isn’t that easy as you anti’s like to make people believe and those that do, consume the animal or donate it to someone that does, the majority of hunters are out there to enjoy the woods and as bonus put meat in the freezer.
By the way CC why not give up meat and convince the other 98% of humans that consume meat to do the same then maybe you will have some creditable argument. Or better yet harvest your own cows, butcher them yourself maybe you have a kinder way of SLAUGHTER.
But why waste time doing it yourself CC just let everyone else do your “dirty-work” and just sit back in your glass house and relax; or write non-sense, whatever.
Mike D
I suggest you learn how to read.The Record opposes the NJ bear hunt as well as the majority of NJ citizens. Animal cruelty has a certain mark of meanness and ignorance and anyone who believes the life of any living creature is worthless may also believe our human lives are also worthless.The worst abusers are those like yourself that continue to try to justify these hunts as necessary to protect the public.The most disturbing type of abuse is for hunting and pleasure resulting in the horrific suffering of these innocent beings.It is a well known fact that most serial killers and murderers start out by killing and torturing animals.Governor Christy should be teaching our children (as well as his own) wildlife conservation and protection not condoning their annihilation by allowing this hunt.
Concerned Citizen, The Record ? so what! there are dozens of newspapers that lean one way or the other . The majority do support a hunt and that is one of the reasons it was approved.
Hunting and harvesting wildgame has absolutely nothing to do with animal cruelty, hunting is a legal right in this country; you have a choice.
What percentage of serial killers are hunters? If your looking for a bad influence on both children and adults start in the living room with the TV.
Governor Christi is teaching children, perhaps his own as well, that wildlife management should be planned by professional biologists, not emotional, anti-hunters. By the way, annihilation means to destroy completely, hunting is a controlled method of wildlife management and it is in fact through wildlife managers and hunters that NJ was able to bring up the black bear population and because of anti-hunters that the black bear population is now out of control. Managed hunting programs do not call for annihilation and the (27) other states, many having held bear hunts for decades, have a proven track record of maintaining a healthy, safe black bear population.
Just what do you think would happen if hunters did not participate in wildlife management? How would we control wildlife populations? Sterilization? tried and failed; professional wildlife harvesting companies that charge up to $500.00 per deer and way more for bear, netting some and shooting them in the head as they try to escape the net with a bolt-gun.
The majority of hunters spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on hunting equipment, practice hours a day, for weeks and months so that they can have a quick, clean harvest and the majority do just that. When done in this manner the animal suffers little and certainly far less than the slaughter house method of supplying supermarket meat.
I own (2) dogs, (1) cat and (3) horses. Three years ago one of our horses got a cut on her leg and that little cut being in the wrong place cost us $15,000.00 of retirement money to save her life. Today she is eight years old and healthy. We adopted our one dog from a shelter to give her a good home and a new life. Thousands of people, hunters and non-hunters, can surely tell similiar stories, so hunting then makes us cruel and mean?
People like you that rush to judgement because others exercise a legal activity that has been a part of our heritage, practiced by Presidents of our country who were among the greatest humanitarians and wildlife conservationists on earth, are just short- sighted people who live on a one-way street of life.
As I have said in many of my opeds, I respect people that are against hunting but have no respect for people like you that attempt to draw a parallel between a hunter and serial killers and murderers.
Well whatever you believe suck it up because the hunt is going to take place, we are going to reduce the number of black bears to a level that allows the safe coexistence with humans. NJ then will finally be in line with the (27) other states that understand and support hunting as a part of wildlife management, including !!!!! California even a more liberal state than NJ but still wise enough to allow their DF&W biologists to do the job they were trained and paid for and harvesting over (1700) black bears annually.
By the way like how you avoided the “slaughter” process of livestock, those steaks and chops just to good to pass up CC? Easy to close your eyes to the process when it comes to something you like CC. Oh well, it is a legal right so; Enjoy your supper.
Mike D
Hey Mike, just wondering if you saw the latest of the Anti’s signs.
I saw the billboard as I was on my way to Sussex on route 23 by the Irish Cottage Inn.
Google’s ground image is out of date and I could not get a photo of it at the time.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=rt%2023%20hamburg&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
I will try to take a shot of it when I get a chance but the sign pretty much equates us to people who club baby seals and goes on and makes wild claims that we bait and kill cubs.
The misinformation would be funny if it weren’t for some people buying into this garbage.
Hey, I could not agree more, Mike, great job.
Here is the problem – the anti bear hunt have a number of groups, like Sierra Club, which can be effective in voicing their message.
What groups do people like us in North NJ, the pro bear hunt people, get behind?
Thanks!
Hi Alex and thank you for reading and responding to my blog.
Here is the problem as I see it.
I totally agree with your assessement of the anti-hunting/animal-right groups in that they have been successful in taking a minority of people and putting together a communications network of internet, fax and phone to maintain a political spin on bear hunting and hunting in general.
The majority of our citizens, both hunting and non-hunters, that understand and support hunting as an integral part of wildlife management are not as involved in this process.
Basically, many believe that our Government administration; DEP, NJDF&W, F&G, Biologists are in charge of these matters and will handle accordingly. Therefore, this majority mass of citizens are not “organized” as they rely on the experts to perform the job including that of presenting reports and information to support their decisions.
Now in the past, this was never enough because we had politicians willing to lean on the “safe-side” and yielding to the pressure from these minority anti’s in the interest of “votes”.
Finally, in Governor Christi we found a leader that basically says; We have experts in this field that are responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe balance between wildlife and human safety. Governor Christi then supports the black bear hunt based on their recommendations. This does not make Governor Christi a pro hunting Governor but rather a logical Governor that understands we do in fact have an overpopulation of black bears and professionals that know how to bring it under control. More importantly, the Governor fully comprehends the facts that clearly demonstrate no wild animal can simply be left to propagate to whatever numbers they may reach.
Add to that the black bear which has demonstrated an aggressive behavior toward humans and domestic pets and livestock through documented attacks.
So we New Jersey joins (27) other states with large black bear populations that have depended on and are successful in controlling the black bear population through hunting.
Alex, we have a few sportsman groups but they are quickly discarded as “trophy-hunters”, so we need all of us that support the hunt to make an individual effort to let the Governor and DEP know we understand that hunting can “never” be an emotional issue; it is strictly a professional decision to protect the black bear from the negative effects of overpopulation while more importantly protecting humans, domestic pets and livestock in that order.
Get everyone you know to contact the Governor and DEP just to let them know of our support. However, this Governor makes decisions based on expert opinion and commonsense not politically motivated rhetoric.
This alone is enough to justify the hunt.
Mike D
Hey Mike. Thanks for thoughtful response. I am doing that, and I also made my own “Support the NJ Bear Hunt” bumper stickers – if anyone wants one, just tell me.
It would still be nice if there was one group (aside from the Gov and the DEP, who are now doing a good job) to back up, show up at events, etc. Also, if you notice i newspaper articles, the anti-hunt groups always get a quote in. There is no such representation on our side.
I will be super annoyed if these anti-hunt groups are able to someone appeal and interfere with the hunt. Just want to feel like I am doing something.
Cheers,
Alex
Great blog as always Mike. I look forward to seeing how your bear harvest ends up going. I doubt it will be very succesful starting so late in the year(Dec I recall), but you have to start somewhere. Hopefully they can bump it back to Sept where it belongs if harvest totals are to low this season. Good luck holding back the tidal wave of anti-hunting fools that will try and sabotage everything you guys have worked so hard for. The bear population and the people of NJ will be better off for all you efforts.
James, thank you for the kind remarks and understanding of our black bear problems. You are right-on with the timing of this hunt, it does belong in September and we are hoping for that next year.
However, the overpopulation is so high that barring real bad weather we may just have a sizeable culling.
The anti’s will try as usual but Governor Christi is a no non-sense individual and more important he places his trust with the professionals, DEP and NJDF&W, F&G.
Now we have the support of millions of non-hunting N.J. citizens that see the expansion of overpopulated black bears as a real danger; and they have let their voices be heard over the minority ant’s.
Mike D
From the papers, looks like they culled a good amount of bears! That is so great. Thank you to the hunters who got out there in the cold weather and got the job done. Any reports on the final numbers?