(So is this article long but give it a look)
The long overdue and much needed black bear hunt is just weeks away but it has been a long journey.
Starting in 2000 then Governor Christi Whitman yielded to pressure from anti-hunting/animal-right groups, dissed the experts of the NJDF&W and cancelled the planned hunt for that year. This decision inflated the political football that would be passed about for years to:
Governor Mc Greevey, Acting Governor Codey, Governor Corzine and now Governor Christie.
Ironic, from a “Christi” stopping the hunt to a “Christie” supporting a hunt.
What is the difference? Governor Christie made it clear, prior to being elected, that he was not playing politics with issues concerning wildlife management. Knowing this the anti-hunting/animal right groups used all of their resources to push for his defeat by Governor Corzine, THEY FAILED. Governor Christie is neither anti, nor pro, black bear hunting; he is pro support of the trained experts and professionals of the NJDF&W/F&G. Governor Christie respects the emotions of those that love animals and do not support hunting however; the Governor understands that emotions are not part of the equation in wildlife management.
The Bear Group, organized back in the beginning of this journey, was able to reach the past Governors. The deception they used was publicized by many well-known anti-hunting newspapers. The Bear Group locates so-called experts, bringing some to N.J and the good ole anti-hunting newspapers give them front page coverage without checking credentials or facts.
Examples:
Steve Searles: Mammoth Lakes resort area, California. (25.2) square miles. The town had a black bear problem and since Searles was a then known trapper and hunter they called him in to assist with the problem. Now the problem centered on the town populated with people, houses, buildings, etc. In other words you weren’t shooting guns. So the obvious here was to contain garbage and to use rubber bullets to discourage black bear activity. Although I find Searles follow-up after shooting the rubber bullets; yelling “Bad Bear, Bad Bear”, more amusing than effective.
Well this may work at times in one concentrated area of (25.2) miles but this is N.J. spread out over 7,504.8 square miles with a human population of over 8 million.
Yet the local papers gave Searles front page coverage with:
“Expert Warns New Jersey Against Black Bear Hunt”.
Expert? California, holds successful black bear hunts every year culling over 1700 bears annually to control their own black bear population, they don’t shoot rubber bullets or yell “Bad Bear”.
Dr Lynn Rogers: A dedicated researcher yet clever “entrepreneur” conducts interesting studies of black bears under ideal conditions in and around Ely, Minnesota. Rogers, offers courses for study of black bears through the Wildlife Research Institute.
At the WRI, “Rogers built both first and second story ledges where he places feed such as seeds, nuts and acorns, “only supplementary food to the bear’s diet”. As the bears found the food, Rogers hung around and persuaded them to eat out of a large can. From there he went on to closer encounters with the bears as shown on his videos.
Dr. Rogers research has absolutely nothing to do with black bear overpopulation in New Jersey. In addition, Dr. Rogers makes it quite clear that it took years for him to learn these techniques of communicating with black bears and discourages others from trying.
Yet, the animal-right/anti-hunters put their own spin on Dr. Rogers work giving the impression that his studies support non-hunting of N.J. black bears. NOT
Edward Tavss, Rutgers University Professor of Chemistry has now become a “so-called” expert on New Jersey black bears and self-imposed inspector of NJDF&W reports.
It doesn’t take a PHD in Chemistry to understand that any state with a large human population and land development has to limit the wildlife population to a number consistent with human safety. This is why (27) states allow professional biologists of their F&W to determine the best methods of control. Professor of Chemistry required?, NO “Qualified F@W staff and common-sense.
As for incorrect reporting as stated by Tavss; if anything the numbers are low; in my own circle of family and friends no one bothers to call in when black bears cause a problem or pose a threat. Everyone in N.J. is just plain worn out from dealing.
Tavss is “out-of-his league” and grasping at straws to once again attempt a delay of the inevitable.
I have been involved with the N.J. black bear issue since 2000 and have written over 100 articles. My blog has been based on real and accurate facts. The main players are as follows:
- Hunters; that have the legal right to pursue wildlife for recreation and/or food. (many not interested in black bear hunting, the majority have abided by the decisions regarding black bear hunting over the years)
- Non-hunters supporting hunting as the most proven and effective method of wildlife management. (do not wish to hunt themselves but are not against hunting and understand the need)
- Anti-hunters that are against all hunting. (want to see hunting of any kind stopped)
- Radical Animal-right groups that place animal rights before human rights. (the worst of the groups as they have little regard for human rights and safety)
- Animal lovers who may even understand the need for hunting but never-the-less have real emotional issues with animals being hurt in any manner. They deserve respect.
- Politicians that are more concerned with votes than bears; that was until this year when they realizied the majority of N.J. residents support bear hunting and reduction of the black bear population. How do they know? Didn’t stop Chis Christi from being elected.
Let me give you the (5) Best-of-the-Best radical-animal-right/anti-hunting responses to several of my blogs:
No. (1) Patti C; you are a horrifying, ignorant thing, you are a complete moron, if you want to kill something look in the mirror, you are an ugly example of thousands of people that have no soul, no brain. I hope you get mauled by a Mack truck and live. In all sincerity I would rather see hunters dead than animals any day.
Then one last jab; The birthing of a baby bear is more beautiful than a human.
No. (2) sbraley; There is no need for hunting or people like you. I just hope to God someone hunts you down and eats you.
No. (3) WGMP; To all bear hunters and others who feel the need to become a little macho by shooting something with a gun; do the world a big favor and start with yourselves.
No. (4) Concerned Citizen; in relation to hunters, most serial killers and murderers start out by killing and torturing animals.
No. (5) Michael C; If bears require more territory the state should purchase the property, demolish the house and expand the bear territory.
There you have it perfect examples of some of the misguided, demented sicko’s against black bear hunting.
The Bear Group does however deserve some credit and it is not the garbage they print but the emphasis’ they place on garbage control.
Garbage containment is not just about black bear over-population. It has no effect on reducing the overpopulated black bears to a safe, co-existing number. However, it is just plain unhealthy to place garbage out on the street in plastic or paper bags. This not only attracts black bears but, raccoons, birds and domestic pets as well. Having garbage ripped apart, scattered all about the street is wrong.
We need to find a way for people to purchase the bear-resistant cans (I would call them animal resistant cans) at a reasonable price. This is a bad economy and some families simply do not have an extra $50.00 to $100.00 to lay out.
In the meantime, it would be wise to place garbage out as close to pick-up time as possible and whenever possible purchase the bear resistant cans they may not work all of the time but are better than regular cans or bags.
A special thanks to the professional, experienced and dedicated members of the NJDF&W/F&G. After years of being questioned, criticized and accused of everything except performing the jobs they were trained for they have finally been vindicated by those in power and the majority of N.J. citizens. They always had it right just never had the support.
Received many requests for information on butchering and processing of black bear meat:
Contact; Tom the Butcher (Bear and Deer)
Washington, New Jersey
(908) 689-7440
These are experienced butchers who offer custom cuts, smoked meat and use fully vacuumed packing. If you need advise on the best cuts and the cooking process, including recipes, just ask.
You may also find other butchers in your own areas be sure they have experience in black bear processing.
We need to reduce the black bear population so a special thanks to all of the hunters that are willing to do the job. Although, you may be accused of a variety of wrongs, as some of the comments I have listed above indicate, without hunters we would be overrun with unhealthy wildlife. Hunting is a legal right in our free nation, it is part of our countries heritage. As citizens of this free nation we have a choice on what sports and recreation to pursue. We can select the foods we want to eat and determine how we wish to obtain those foods.
Remember, this is 2010 and no one especially the NJDF&W/F&G and hunters would ever allow the black bear or any other wildlife to be hunted to extinction. Successful Wildlife Management must include hunting, that is the process.
Mike D
NJ Bear Hunt 
I’m against the Black Bear Hunt!!
I will admit that i understand the problem but isn’t there other ways to fix it? I’m sure it comes down to money. There is plenty of money for the clearing of land to build homes,condo’s,stores/business. Just need to say that it’s the animals land and we are taking it from them. When and where will the migration of humans end?
Hi Charles and thank you for the reply and for understanding the problem even though you oppose the bear hunt.
Let’s look at it this way, the Earth is all of our land, humans and animals alike. Specific animals, both domestic and wild however, were put here as a food source for humans. Bears are among that group as are deer, moose, elk, etc.
It is indeed sad to witness farmland, field and forests being turned over to housing or industrial developments.
On Route 80 going through West Paterson, New Jersey we as children used to play in the fields of Beckus dairy farm, the railroad went through to Paterson and the Morris Canal was in our backyard. Now I ride over the cement and macadam and glance at the large wall that sits within my Grandparents once two acres of fruit trees, tomato plants, fig, peach, apple, pear trees and white and red grapes from which they made wines and jelly.
All that is left are the GOOD memories of a more traguil setting.
New Jersey, among many other states is making great efforts to preserve our farmland and forests through green acres and farmland preservation programs.
But Charles, no matter how much land we preserve wildgame will always have to be harvested. We need to control their populations in order to maintain a healthy species and to insure a safe co-existence between wildgame and humans.
When you are opposed to hunting or Bear hunting in particular, as is your right and one which I have always respected, you must also think of the whole picture regarding human food sources and balance of wildlife populations.
I passed a livestock truck yesterday on the way back from Illinois. It was filled with beef cows heading for the slaughter house. The beef cows as you know were raised to be butchered for human consumption. They had no escape they were on the way to a final journey. By the way they were just as beautiful in their own way as a bear.
Yet when any of us go into a store and sort through the packaged meats do we stop and picture that once live animal grazing peacefully in a pasture not bothering anyone and actually “No Threat” at all to human safety?
NO; because this is why they are here on our Earth and the majority of humans enjoy a good steak.
Well then lets’ look at wildgame. They too can be seen grazing in fields but they are cunning, you do not walk up to them, place a halter about their necks and but them on a truck to a slaughter house.
They have a chance to survive, the instinct to survive. The majority of the strongest will outwit the hunter and SURVIVE to produce offspring with the same survival instincts.
Some of the strong may fall and the weakest will surely fall and so the process continues year after year.
The result; healthy wildgame populations that provide food for those that wish to pursure their own food sources. Not only food but the healthiest meat available free of growth harmones, etc.
Wildlife provides legal recreation for those that wish to pursue hunting activities.
More importantly in the case of bears, reduced risk to human safety.
So let’s look at the following facts:
(1) bear meat is edible.
(2) 99% of hunters do not just harvest game, take the head and hide and dispose of the meat.
(3) Even hunters that do not consume the meat themselves give it to those that do and/or donate it to charity organizations.
(4) Sterilization is a failure and in addition the balance of nature that has taken place for centuries has been done successfully through hunting. Why should the wisest and strongest of any species be denied the right to survive on instincts and to propagate thereby continuing the chain of the strongest offspring.
(5) There is no way any wild animal can simply be allowed to propagate to whatever population level they can reach especially those at the top of the food chain, like bears, that can create a human safety issue.
(6) Hunting is a part of our countries heritage, it is legal, it is a necessary part of successful wildlife management.
(7) Anti-hunting/animal-right groups have duped the pubic through misleading and false information about the hunting/wildlife management process.
(8) Modern wildlife management is scientific, biologists, F&G and hunters would never allow the hunting of any wildlife to the point of any dangerous levels.
Charles, the bear hunt should be like the steak hunt at the food stores where no one thinks of how the meat got to that package, how cute or handsome the cow looked before he became food.
Think of the population being brought under control, the danger to humans minimized, more room in the bears natural habitat so the bear can go back to leading the reclusive life they once enjoyed.
Those that speak of how they just want to see bears, to take photo’s, to have them travel through human populace do not understand nor respect bears.
Those that propose sterilization are mean and cruel for even thinking of preventing the strongest of the species, that will survive to reproduce, to enjoy the natural mating process.
The bears want to remain unseen, mysterious and stealth as they travel though the forests. A bear in the wild would rather not encounter a human neither hunter, hiker nor picture taker.
Overpopulation will take away their freedom, housing and development of land will take away their freedom, diease will come into play as Chronic Wasting Disease has done to other overpopulated wildlife.
The attacks on domestic pets, livestock and humans will escalate, house breakins will continue to rise as will the threat to human safety.
Hunting will create the balance they need to thrive in their own natural habitat and prevent all of the negatives resulting from an uncontrolled black bear population.
One last point Charles, the Bear Group has made for years, GARBAGE CONTROL. Everyone has to do a better job of containing garbage. This has nothing to do with reducing or containing black bear populations. However, combined with a reduction of the black bear population through hunting it will help keep the bears searching for food in their own environment.
Well hope this helps answer your thoughts.
Mike D
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