The following are a compilation of their bogus complaints:
NJ Fish & Wildlife is so biased toward hunting they will do and say anything in abuse of their authority to promote the trophy hunting of black bears INCLUDING:
Refusing to enforce state garbage laws.
Killing black bears to promote fear.
Using junk science to record nuisance incidents.
Promoting recreational trophy hunting against public opinion.
99% of NJ citizens do not support hunting.
This from groups that have played the political trump card from 2000 through 2011 using false and misleading information to create a threat of lost votes to politicians that would support any black bear hunting.
These accusations were always and still remain false, misleading. This can be easily determined by the ludicrous statement that 99% of New Jersey Citizens do not support hunting. Why? When would it ever be possible to reach over 8 million NJ citizens to find out whether or not they supported hunting? We had 64.1 of our citizens voting for the 2008 Presidential election, not even a Presidential election pulled 99% voters.
Here is a more accurate statement; the majority of NJ citizens’ support the NJ Fish & Wildlife as the professionals with the education required to determine what is needed to control the state’s wildlife populations. In the case of black bear hunts, scientific information gathered by the NJDF&W, then confirmed by studies fromEastStroudsburgUniversityand based on actual, documented incidents reported directly by NJ citizens, the majority of NJ citizens understand the need for the culling of the black bear population to a level consistent with the safety of our human population.
This year we are finding black bears on the side of roadways being killed by vehicles as they cross roads, another sign of overpopulation. In 2010 (592) black bears were harvested by hunters in spite of a black bear hunting season opening late, on December 6th to coincide with the NJ deer hunting season. In addition to the late season 2010 was a banner year for acorns allowing the black bears to fill up early and den up quicker, still (592) black bears harvested an indication of the large population.
Garbage, yes the only honest fact coming from the anti’s, garbage needs to be properly contained. Garbage containment is important because it prevents any wildlife from bears to raccoons to crows from invading containers, making a mess and supplementing their food source.
Garbage containment however, is not a birth control pill. Black bears will still propagate and there will always be a need for population management through the only proven method used successfully by every state with large black bear populations; HUNTING.
So lets cut the bulls—– and stop the lies, frivolous lawsuits and misleading facts, like it or not, whoever was here first or what, we need to understand that Black Bears have a new attitude whether created by development of land or their lack of fear for humans and this attitude coupled with overpopulation is in fact a real threat to human safety.
Let’s get used to it and be thankful to the NJDF&W and the hunters that perform a job in the line of sport hunting. YES, sport hunting too, a legal pastime that the free citizens of our country have a right to participate in or not.
Lastly, thanks to Governor Christie, who allows professionals to make decisions based on their education and does not let threats from anti-hunting/animal right groups influence his decision to support these professionals thereby keeping him out of the end zone.
WOW, he even got elected on a platform that included his decision on this matter as well.
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.
On Fathers Day, 6/20/2010, in a neighborhood, Vernon, these “Three Bears” were on the front lawn of a house eating mulberries. They weren’t “three little bears” as you can see and the large male didn’t exactly look like he was worrying about being out there noontime where everyone could see him.
Just one empty lot away was four or five children, ages (4) to (7) playing in their front yard. Someone drove back to alert the parents but the children were already inside.
Sightings such as this have increased, reports of attacks on livestock and domestic pets as well. Two bears were recently shot by police for breaking into houses in Morris County.
Yet word has it that the anti’s are flooding the Governor’s office with letters attempting to once again stop the planned 2010 black bear management hunt.
We can only remain confident that Governor Christi, a no non-sense Governor that uses common sense has made a decision to support a hunt and will not be swayed by the misleading rhetoric and letters that falsely indicate a lack of support for the hunt.
These letters, carefully composed and sent by both the anti-hunting/animal right groups are much like the votes for American Idol. The host of that show is quick to note the millions of voters called in to vote, but fails to disclose that any person can vote as many times as they like. A person supporting a particular contestant can vote over and over again for that same person.
This year is it; the black bears are totally out of control because we have too many and not enough natural habitant to keep them within their own range. The majority of citizens in this state do support a black bear hunt as part of wildlife population management. That support was evident when the anti’s waged an all out campaign against candidate Christi because he voiced publicly his support of the black bear hunt. Now he is Governor Christi, made it into office without their support and can support this hunt because it is right, he knows it and owes nothing to anti’s that have been able to bring into play the threat of lost votes to other Governors.
The garbage argument; surely, black bears will find garbage, because there is not enough natural food to go around. And YES! Garbage should be properly contained, but garbage is not sperm needed for the black bears to propagate, it is just an attraction for overpopulated black bears. So as there is a need to contain garbage there is a need to reduce the number of black bears.
In this particular case there was no garbage just a good old fashioned mulberry tree. Ever see a mulberry tree or cherry tree for that matter, there is absolutely no way to clean them off the ground, like apples or pears and the one black bear was right up on the limbs of the mulberry tree picking them off.
There are no longer “black-bear experts” that can tell us that black bears are not dangerous, because this is a new year, a new time and a new black bear. No longer shy, no longer in fear of humans and not enough land to absorb the continued growth of their population. They are unpredictable at best and from killing livestock and domestic pets, breaking into garages and houses it is inevitable that a human is going to fall into harms way sooner or later.
We have a BP oil leak that is ruining the environment and economy, the people, Senators and Congress are blaming everyone back to President Regan, Bush and President Obama as well for letting things get to a point that a tragedy like this could take place.
Listen up, we in New Jersey have been warned, the Black Bear has warned us, like this brazen male on the lawn of a residence at 12 noon, take a good look at his face, NO FEAR, he is at the top of the food chain in our state, always was, but never knew it like he does today. So when a tragedy finally happens let’s be sure we made an attempt to avoid it, SUPPORT A BLACK BEAR HUNT NOW.
Well, here they go again! The Bear Education and Resource Group, fresh off one of the most devastating loses of their “Stop the Bear Hunt” cause (when they failed to rally enough people to vote against Governor Christi for his outright support of a black bear hunt, prior to and after the election) have now filed some “bogus” lawsuit against the NJDF&W.
This law that they dug up is called “The (OPMA) Open Public Meetings Law Act”.
The Game Committee Chairman however, stated that all of the Council’s regular meetings are open, but subcommittee meetings, including the Game Council Committee, do not have to be.
So “check this out”:
The Bear Management Policy, under a 2007 state appeals court ruling, must first be publicly vetted much as an environmental regulation change. It will have been published in the April 19, 2010 New Jersey Register, which will start a (60) day public comment period, including a May 11, 2010 public hearing, to be held at 6:00 PM, at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. How much more open can it get?
Pay close attention here all of you New Jersey citizens that are, “overtaxed”, “out-of-work”, “retired trying to make ends meet”, “government workers” and “teachers” looking at job layoffs and pay reductions; The Bear Education & Resource Group, with a base of inexperienced, emotional, anti-hunters are just looking to “waste” what money you have already paid in taxes and spend what little money the state has, on bringing frivolous lawsuits to our courts against professional, experienced biologists and wildlife management experts.
OK, so now we have a public comment period, but why? Because of past politics; what good is “emotional” public comment we have heard it all. The anti-hunting/animal-right groups will be there preaching “GARBAGE”, yes we agree, but we need to reduce the black bear “over-population” then they will have more room in their own natural environment and less interest in our garbage.
Here I go again, (27) states have large black bear populations, (26) of these states respect and support their Fish & Wildlife Professionals, who all include hunting as the primary means of maintaining a black bear population that is consistent with human safety.
Through this culling process, which has taken place for decades, the black bear continues to thrive and remain a natural resource. In this day, in any of these states has the black bear faced extinction. Remember, it was way “back-in-the-day”, (1970) when the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife made the decision to close hunting as they saw the black bear population dwindling to a dangerous low level. Back in (1970) there were no cries from the public and quite frankly, very few people cared about black bears.
So remember this; it was the NJDF&W, not anti-hunters or animal-rights groups that stepped in to save the black bears; NJDF&W DID IT.
Now we need to trust The NJDF&W again, we need to step back and use some common sense; No wildlife, animal or mammal can be simply left to propagate to “whatever” number they can reach, especially a carnivorous black bear that is at the top of the wildlife (and when they feel like it human) food chain.
It was just reported March 30th, in Vernon, New Jersey a man got a summons for killing a black bear in his backyard. All through my blog I have attempted to discourage anyone from doing this because the state has no options other than to fine you, unless you can clearly prove that the bear was a direct threat to you or family members. This remains to be seen in this case. But now fear and frustration appears to be setting in and this demonstrates that people are getting worn out by the threat to their families, domestic pets and livestock and with the invasion of property by the “overpopulated” black bear.
So once again, I encourage you to let your “voices” be heard in support of the black bear hunt and please refrain from any actions that can be construed as illegal. Our Governor knows the problem, the DEP understands and now supports the F&G Council bear management plan which includes hunting, help by supporting them.
Yesterday a black bear climbed over my daughters fenced in yard, crushed the fence on the way in then crushed the other side on the way out. My two grandchildren play in that yard with their friends and pet dog, luckily they were on the deck and not in the yard.
So is it “let the debates begin”? No, it is let the threats to human safety begin, lets put our children and families in harms way because some emotional, inexperienced, misleading people are still trying to convince the Governor and the public “those black bears can multiply to WHATEVER and they will not bother anyone”just control your garbage and the black bear will magically disappear into some unknown, uninhabited space. RIGHT!
The black bear hunt must take place this year; actually it should take place in September, not December but we need something to get started. The DEP passed the F&G black bear management plan; (45) extensive pages of scientific research just logon to:
The Bear Education and Resource Group has paid for a half page ad in the Daily Record, Morris County, N.J. stating among other things that:
“The Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) is the blame, breaking the law by refusing to enforce the feeding ban.”
“The DFW refuses to enforce proper garbage storage laws and instead of ticketing property owners, they “allow” bears to be lured into human environments by the smell of garbage and there they kill them-using these incidents to justify bear hunting.
“DFW “solely” exists to manage sport hunting.
“Non-lethal bear management (ex: garbage control) is the only proven way to manage black bears.
At the bottom of this ad, of course, there is a form for making a donation of; $25.00 to $500.00.
This is an outright SLANDER of DFW proven, professionals.
The only reason The Bear Group and other anti-hunting/animal right groups have existed for these past years in N.J. are some past Governors and politicians that were afraid to take a chance with “voters” by supporting and endorsing the DFW and their professional, experienced members that have the responsibility of managing “wildlife” in New Jersey.
Now after an all out attack on Chris Christi to prevent him from defeating Governor Corzine, their “Stop the hunt Godfather”, they realize that “Governor Christi” is not going to play “politics” with “black bear overpopulation”, the Governor made it clear “prior” to being elected; BLACK BEAR HUNT? YES.
SO WHAT IS THE TRUTH?????
The Bear Group is nothing more than an inexperienced clan of misleading individuals that attempt to use emotions to play on the “emotions” of innocent animal-lovers, duping them out of money to sustain a meaningless cause.
For all of the past years, 2000 through 2010, The Bear Group has published nothing but ‘GARBAGE”, because garbage has absolutely nothing to do with OVERPOPULATION or managing “the increase in the N.J. black bear population”. Garbage containment is important for more than black bear issues, it can become a health issue when left for rats, birds, stray dogs, etc.; but to solve black bear overpopulation now and in the future; NOT
As for the information the Bear Group lays claim to, garbage containment , how to live with the black bear, adverse conditioning, this has been made available for years by the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife in handouts and on their website.
The half-page article the bear group placed in the Daily Record, Morris County on 3/14/10, is not only an outright lie, it is a “slanderous” attack on the qualified, professional New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife and Fish & Game Council and on the DFW agencies throughout the U.S. in every state and the governing bodies they fall under.
These dedicated departments and individuals do not deserve to be portrayed as they were in this unfair article and one would certainly hope that we are much smarter than to buy into the bear group “bull.”
I have written numerous articles successfully rebuking the mind-twisting lies that the bear group has published over the years, but now they have gone over the line with this ill-considered add.
You can easily evaluate the NJDF&W and the scientific work of their professionals, just logon to:
If you “really” want to make a comparison between the inexperienced rambling of the Bear Group and the NJDF&W that they attempted to slander, then take the time to review the “Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy” recently submitted to the DEP. Forty-five (45) pages of real scientific information backed up with accurate facts and figures. Oh, for sure the bear group will attempt to have you dismiss this report by using their same old “garbage” spin.
This report however, will easily show that the DFW is the only reliable source that should be responsible for managing wildlife. These professionals cannot allow emotions to interfere with science. They have proof to back up there management policies and they have the ONLY proven track record of “savinbears”; they actually DID, how? we had a black bear population in the 1970’s that was in danger of extinction, it was the DFW professionals that saved them, brought them back.
Do we want to maintain a healthy black bear population?
Do we want to prevent the black bear from threatening human life?
Do we want to stop the killing of domestic pets and livestock?
The only way this can be accomplished is to allow our professional DFW to manage wildlife again, manage the black bear population not manage attacks on their creditability. There responsibilities include the regulation and protection of fish and game for both recreational (hunting and fishing for sport and food) and commercial purposes. Recreational activities include; micro- management of wildlife populations, designating endangered species for protection, scientific research in areas like black bear issues, disease, non-hunting recreational opportunities like sight seeing, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, management of state and park lands including lakes, ponds and streams.
Just to set the record straight regarding salaries; The Fish and Game Council, that have the role of managing the states fish and wildlife resources, function as “UNPAID VOLUNTEERS” in coordination with the Commissioner and Director of DEP , NJDF&W.
A black bear hunt is now five (5) years overdue you cannot manage wildlife without experience but you can use “COMMON-SENSE” to understand that “any wildlife population cannot be left “uncontrolled” and to simply grow to whatever numbers they reach.
We do not have adequate forestland to support the current black bear population, we cannot make new forestland, and garbage control, important yes but garbage control is not population control and will not reduce black bear overpopulation, we need to implement hunting as an integral part of black bear population control and maintenance.
We should not overlook the right of sportsmen to pursue the legal right to hunt. We find hunters, in New Jersey coming under constant criticism; here again groups like the bear group and others have portrayed hunters as blood thirsty, trophy hunting slobs.
Hunting is one of the oldest activities of our planet, all through the different eras hunting has had a meaningful purpose. In the beginning it was all about food, later the raising of livestock placed hunting into an optional pastime where hunters could take to the woods to rekindle the heritage of hunting while still opting for the harvesting of their own food.
Today, hunting serves as a sport, family recreation, economic opportunities for many states, the only opportunity one has to harvest healthy, natural, non-hormone free food and! and! and! at the same time carry out the culling of wildlife to meet designated goals established by the professional wildlife biologists and proven members of the DF&W as deemed necessary for maintaining healthy game populations.
Remember, there is no successful sterilization method, birth control or any other option to hunting now or in our near future except; companies that come into a state or town and charge anywhere from $300.00 to $1000.00, per animal to reduce the population; is this not hunting? hunting where instead of picking up revenue from licensed hunters we pay for hunters to do the same work.
Therefore, until science produces a “pill” that can be taken to satisfy the daily nourishment requirements of meat, as chosen for food by 97% of our people, animals’ both wild and domestic, are here to meet our needs. How? well! the supermarket where someone does the work for us and it can be picked up already prepared to cook and eat or the hunt for those that wish to do it all on their own. In the USA we have the freedom to make the choice between the two.
Lastly; A message for Governor Christi and DEP Commissioner Bob Martin; on behalf of millions of non-hunting citizens that support hunting and the hunters that must carry out the task, for those of us that supported you because of your honesty and desire to take New Jersey to a new level in all areas, many far more important than a black bear hunt, we ask that you continue your support of our state DFW and that support should include allowing DFW to move ahead with black bear hunts and to put in place a fee for bear hunting, this is what every state in the U.S does.
The support should include preventing any emotional, inexperienced group to tie up our courts and waste taxpayers money with frivolous lawsuits aimed at delaying the process. These groups poke and hope at ways of keeping this an emotional issue and have done so under past Governors.
There should be some statement made from your offices that clearly dismisses the ad that was published by the bear group on 3/14/10, because this is not only a slanderous attack on the DFW, but on your administration as well. It is a misleading lie that is aimed at innocent, emotional people. The DFW must be defended as you would do for any worker subjected to unfounded accusations.
A black bear hunt in inevitable, the black bears have proven on their own that they are too many , they show no fear of humans and will continue to be a threat to humans as they break into houses, garages and vehicles to damage and destroy property, attack injure and kill domestic pets and livestock and continue to jeopardize human safety, until one day they finally seriously injure or fatally attack a human. Scare tactic; no, just the writing on the wall..
Black Bears and the Bear Education and Resource Group
Black Bears and HSUS
Well, it’s a new year and a new Governor and administration, everything has changed. Governor Chris Christie, “prior” to being elected made it quite clear that he would endorse a black bear hunt and is still in favor of one.
Déjà vu, you bet; because the animal-right/anti-hunting groups have nothing more to offer today than they did in the past; “same lies and non-sense” they presented to former Governor Corzine; “we don’t need a hunt we, need garbage control and to appoint non-hunters to the F&G”.Sure, Yup, that will stop the black bear population from increasing.
Imagine, after some of these groups waged a war on Governor Christi with ads showing bloody, dead bears and captions stating; “this will be the fate of “our” black bears if Chris Christi is elected”, are now looking for his support to stop another hunt.
Here is the difference this time around; Governor Christi is a “straight-shooter” he had the courage to take a stand, prior to the election, to state his support of a black bear hunt without worrying about “losing animal-right/anti-hunting “votes”.What does this mean?
Governor Christi does not have to play politics as did Governor Corzine
Governor Christi doesn’t owe the anti’s; they tried to keep him out of office
Governor Christi doesn’t owe the “hunters” because as the anti’s are always so quick to point out; “hunters make up less than 1% of New Jersey’s population.
Governor Christi just needs to rely on “proven science and professional biologists that do not and cannot allow “emotions” to play a role in wildlife management programs. Governor Christi does need to restore the creditability of the professional biologists and members of the State F&G, DF&W. These are the experts in the field of “Wildlife Management”, without them we not only have unsafe, human conflicts with bears, but the future of the black bear is at stake as well.
Governor Christi can accomplish this by having the DF&W/F&G/Biologists stand alone rather than reporting to the DEP.
Here in New Jersey we have some of the most dedicated, talented wildlife management personnel in our country, yet they are constantly criticized by the anti’s. We need to change this to give them the long overdue credit they deserve, we are proud of these people and a “handful” of anti’s should never have been allowed to downplay the work they do.
Just remember, as I have stated in so many of my OPEDS, (27) other states have large black bear populations and (26) of those states have “successfully” included hunting as the primary method of controlling black bear populations to a safe, coexisting number. New Jersey is the only state that has allowed “emotions” and “politics” to overrule wildlife science and stop the bear hunts. (Other than 2003 and 2005 when they clearly reduced black bear complaints in the year following those hunts).
So when Janet Piszar, director of the Bear Education and Resource Group and Heather Cammisa, state director for HSUS go back to the drawing boards they fall back on the same misleading and baseless facts they have presented over the years. Let’s look at some of these statements:
Janet Pizar: Bear Education and Resource Group
The Division of Fish and Wildlife manipulates policies and enforcement for the unstated purpose of promoting a hunt. DF&W is lax in enforcing laws that prohibit people from feeding bears-either intentionally by hand or inadvertently by leaving barbecue grills, bird feeders or full garbage bags outside their homes. She further states that F&W allowed problem bears to raid and pillage neighborhoods to reinforce the public impression that hunting was the solution. Pizar said, the state has not done enough to pursue nonlethal management. (ALL FALSE) Janet Piszar’s knowledge of wildlife management couldn’t fill a thimble, Pizar lives on a “one-way” street named “anti-hunter” and actually her stand in the end run will do more damage to the black bear than any hunt. The wildlife professionals of New Jersey, in cooperation with hunters, brought back the black bear; their continued, professional management is needed in order to maintain a healthy black bear population. Overpopulation is not healthy to humans or the bears.
Heather Cammisa: State Director for HSUS
We do not believe that hunting is an effective management tool to handle bear-human conflicts, “Most conflicts occur in urban and suburban areas because of the availability of food from trash cans and other sources, like bird feeders and compost piles. We believe the effective way of reducing conflict involves removing those food sources. (REMOVING FOOD SOURCES HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH REDUCING AND MAINTAINING THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION TO SAFE, COEXISTING NUMBERS)
Both groups continue to ignore the “real-problem” BEAR-OVER-POPULATION, unless the black bear population is reduced to a number that allows “safe-coexistence” with the human population and kept under control each year, none of the above matters.
In New Jersey, particularly in areas of Sussex, Vernon, West Milford and other towns developments border state hunting and fishing lands, as well as private properties where hunters are allowed to hunt as families, friends or hunt clubs. The overpopulated black bear, when in need of food travels into these areas. A hunt in the same areas will reduce the black bear population and “free-up” space in their own natural environment.
More space means more food available without the bears looking for supplements or snacking on garbage. Hunting is the most effective “adverse-conditioning” for black bears as they will quickly learn that “humans” present a real danger; TO THEM.
Speaking of garbage people do know that storing garbage is an important part of the management program, however, when the “overpopulated” black bear is determined to get food the “bear-resistant garbage cans” are garbage and the bears can easily drag them away and open them, one bear was seen jumping on the “yellow-cans” until the lid just popped off. When the garbage is stored in sheds or garages, they break down doors.
As for bird feeders, barbecue grills and compost piles, well this is a little more infringement on “human rights” than we should have to accept. Although people are working on these issues, many feel just as strongly about “bird-care” as do others about “bear-care”, many believing it is unfair to sacrifice bird feeding because we have too many black bears, remember; bird feed is the most widely sold feed nationwide and a popular pastime among nature lovers.
Cleaning grills, good for sanitary reasons, but when bears come on decks while the grills are still cooling down, or someone goes into the house for a few monents, “there are too many bears”.
The controversy should go the way of Governor Corzine, “AWAY”. This is not about hunters, trophy hunts, F&W telling (3 little bear stories), garbage, bird feeders or compost piles, IT IS ABOUT A STATE THAT HAS WAITED FAR TOO LONG IN ALLOWING THE ONLY NATIONWIDE, PROVEN METHOD OF CONTAINING AND MAINTAINING A BLACK BEAR POPULATION THAT ALLOWS THE SAFE COEXISTENCE WITH HUMAN POPULATION; HUNTING, HUNTING, HUNTING.
The result of this delay has led to the problems in other areas; (garbage, bird feeder destruction, etc) In this case the past administrations put the cart (garbage, etc) ahead of the horse (black bear population growth).
We need a black bear hunt this year, not extra reviews, public comments and when the anti’s fail again, lawsuits wasting the time of The New Jersey Courts and taxpayers money and doing nothing to solve overpopulation.
We need to recognize that it is not just the “hunters’ that need or want a black bear hunt, it is millions of “non-hunting” citizens that understand the purpose and success of hunting as a “wildlife management tool”. More importantly, it is “members of the DF&W, F&G, and Biologists that are professionals in this field using science, experience and education not emotions to make decisions.
Finally, let’s dispose of another myth; “the bears will be skinned for their hides and trophy mounts and the meat wasted because it is not wanted, cannot be butchered or is not good to eat.” There are butchers that will properly butcher bears for example;
Tom the Butcher Bear and Deer Processing
Washington, New Jersey
(908) 689-7440
Tom, will custom cut the bear, fully vacuum pack and offers smoked meat as well. He recommends for the best cooking and tasting, boneless steaks, roasts, stew and chop meat. Having prepared bears taken out of state, he says that the meat is excellent.
“By the way this goes for deer too as now some anti-hunters have found a quack doctor that supposedly conducted his own tests on venison and found lead in the meat from bullets, then claiming it unsafe to consume and further claiming that donating meat to the hungry is simply and excuse justifying hunting deer. WOW, can this be an anti-hunting Doctor? Reminds me of the movie, “My Cousin Vinnie” when he has a shimmy in the front end and a mechanic passing by says I know the problem “you got Mud in your tires”, “Mud in your tires? Says Vinnie, never heard of it.” Lead in your deer? Never heard of it either.
All the meat recalls we have had over the years have been from livestock, slaughtered livestock, not shot with a bullet.
When a deer butcher is processing a deer they look for obvious problems and when shot with a bullet the damaged area is cut away.
So I guess then that the anti’s have to give up their fight on banning bow hunting, no lead right?”
There are other butchers that will prepare bear, search the internet but do not believe that no one will butcher a bear, or that bear or deer meat is not fit for human consumption.
Do not let the opportunity to bring this problem under control slip away, those that understand the importance of a bear hunt cannot sit back we still need to let our voices be heard. Many believed that Chris Christi would never become Governor; Let the “silent majority” speak to Governor Christi again; let the Governor know you support the black bear hunt: Make it short “Just Say Yes for a Black Bear Hunt this year.”
Governor Christies’ office: (609) 292-6000
DEP Acting Commissioner Robert Martin: Phone (609) 292-2885 Fax (609) 292-7695
Well, it is official; the black bear has succeeded in taking control of New Jersey. What a success story, once near extinction in 1970, the black bear was given a new lease on life by; Wildlife Professional Biologists under the F&G and Hunters that established and respected a ban on hunting.
By 2000 the trend was completely reversed and the black bear went from near extinction to overpopulation, with an attitude change from timid and fearful to belligerent and destructive.
In 2000, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman yielded to pressure from the animal-right/anti-hunting groups paving the way for politics to enter the arena of wildlife management.
Oh, there were moments of sanity when hunts were held in 2003 and 2005 but then entered Governor Corzine who flatly stated he was against any bear hunting. The new DEP Commissioner, appointed by Governor Corzine, Lisa Jackson quickly got her marching orders and followed the Governors beat.
Together they came up with a plan to overrule the 2005 agenda of black bear hunts and opted for a “research into non-lethal methods” of black bear population control. A stall tactic at best, because there were already numerous studies conducted around the country proving this to be ineffective.
So today a New Jersey black bear “rules”, they can break into garages and houses, attack and kill domestic pets and livestock, even attack and injure humans and they receive a pardon. Black bears are allowed to interfere with our recreation at state parks and yes even our “highest in the nation, tax paid for personal property and backyards”. Now not only do they travel in previous know “black-bear counties” they are seen in every county of New Jersey and cities including Trenton itself.
Although, there are “millions” of citizens, besides hunters, that support hunting as the most proven, effective method of wild game management, many politicians continue to listen to a minority of special interest animal-right/anti-hunting groups; Why? Because these groups are backed by people from other states who realize that New Jersey is their last battleground in which they can mix politics and wildlife management. By a well established network of communications they flood the Governor and others with misleading information and the threat of lost votes for anyone supporting black bear hunting. They continually, throw out the “blood thirsty trophy hunters” or the Fish&Games’ need to generate revenue for their salaries as the primary excuse for a hunt. To make matters worse they get support from news publications that are staffed with anti-hunting journalists that put the “anti-hunting-spin” on every black bear incident reported.
So what should we believe? Well to start with twenty-seven (27) states have large black bear populations that require population control. Many of these states, by the way, have less black bears and less complaints than N.J., but twenty-six (26) of those states, with both Democratic and Republican Governors, allow their Fish&Game, professionals to establish and maintain wildlife management programs.
All (26) of these states have successfully controlled their black bear populations for decades through hunting seasons. They are able to maintain a healthy black bear population and reduce the level of dangerous black bear activities. Just to be perfectly clear here, yes even in these states a black bear may occasionally roam into a populated area or attempt to break into a garage or house, but, the big but, is that without years of hunting for population control these problems would be multiplied to a much higher and more dangerous level; like? You guessed it N.J. today.
What else can we believe? Our own eyes, ears and common-sense. We see drastic increases, 20% or greater, in overall black bear complaints, we see black bears in places they never travelled before and where they were seen we see them more often and in greater numbers. We hear the stories from the people, neighbors, family and friends that have been victims of intrusive and aggressive black bears, we hear of domestic pets attacked and killed, farmer’s livestock and crops damaged. Common-sense clearly tells us that “no wild game animal” can be left to just multiply beyond their natural range carrying capacity to whatever size population they can reach.
I started this blog on my own after researching the New Jersey black bear problem since 2000 and when my daughter and grandchildren became prisoners’ in their own house as the black bears invaded their backyard and threatened their safety. If you review the other OPEDS in my blog you will find that this extensive research has enabled me to publish accurate and fair information about the “modern black bear”. Development of land and increasing human population has led to an attitude change in black bear behavior and that change is a danger to humans.
Many people not in favor of hunting are not necessarily all on a political agenda but simply do not like to think of an animal being culled through hunting. These people must be respected and understood. But in return these same individuals must also understand that the most precious life is human life, the good human goes out of their way to save each other and then animals as well, but their priorities are in order, human rights before animal rights.
Hunting is a legal right in our country; it is the right of humans to “harvest” their own game for food. A black bear or a deer is food for those that wish to pursue historical traditions. A cow, pig, calf etc, raised for consumption by humans, is no less “cute” than the wild game a hunter harvests. In the end game they all become food. Domestic livestock populations are controlled according to consumption needs and the method of controlling domestic livestock? Slaughterhouses that kill and prepare the meat for human consumption.
Wild game animals need to have the same controlled populations in order to avoid disease, starvation through lack of available food, wasted death through vehicle collisions and even overhunting that can damage the balance. The method is not much different than domestic livestock with one exception; wild game is given a chance to survive through their own cunning senses and ability to escape. The strong and healthy do so and that strengthens the health of their overall population while the weaker are culled to maintain the population to acceptable numbers.
This is Wildlife Management and to remain successful it requires professionals, biologists not politicians, nor animal-right/anti-hunting groups misleading and false intervention. It doesn’t need newspapers’ putting personal spins on factual stories. We don’t need inexperienced people and/or animal-right or anti-hunters on Fish & Game commissions. Why; well without them New Jersey F&G and hunters were able to develop a very healthy black bear population and in this year 2009 there is no F&G or hunter that would not revert to non-hunting of any species if it was required for their continued existence. Hunters are historical and proven conservationists.
We now have an emergency situation in New Jersey, each day those that understand black bear overpopulation and their now “no-fear” attitude wait each day for the bad news; a human severely mauled or killed by a black bear. Just think of this; if you had the opportunity today to be a “Good Samaritan” would you not do anything to help a fellow human being, to save someone from injury or death? If your answer is yes then start supporting a black bear hunt in New Jersey, write the Governor, DEP and your local politicians and let them know. Don’t listen to the animal-righty/anti-hunters, we have run out of time, we need a hunt immediately.
Governor Corzine may not like hunting, but he surely is not looking to have someone mauled and killed by an overpopulated black bear. Since Governor Whitman, her successors have inherited that incorrect decision she made in 2000. Now like the others the Governor is caught in the web. Let’s give him the opportunity to put this back where it belongs, with the F&G and state biologists, where science will rule, not black bears and politics. Put politics back in the corner of human safety, the safety of the citizens of New Jersey.
A warm spring evening in rural New Jersey and night gently pushes out the daylight, chirping birds quite now as they retreat to their hideaways. On cue tree-frogs having rested all day, begin their hunt for food, small insects and bugs. As the night progresses the males will begin to croak and call out for the females in choruses, first a group from the left, then the right, then in front, back and forth their sound traveling for long-distances.
From a nearby pond the tree-frogs are joined by relatives as their much larger cousins, the bull-frogs sing out with deep, loud croaks of their own. While helping the tree-frogs to keep down the mosquito and insect populations their much larger appetite may include fellow frogs. Bull-frogs are free from natural predators and can use their toxic secretions to disable their prey.
Used to be;further back in the woods unseen and unheard roamed the Black Bear, looking for wild fruit trees, nuts and juicy, moist greens and a nice meal of fawn or other meat. With no natural predators to worry about the mighty bears ruled the dark wilderness without fear. In the daylight hours they had learned to avoid their only predator, humans as they rightly associated them with danger. For centuries they became familiar with the human smell, the sound of a gun, the twang of a bow string and they knew too well that their mighty strength was no match for the thunder sticks.
Used to be; a lot more forest for the bears but as development of land began to chip away at their natural habitant they began to drift closer to humans. In many states where hunting takes place the bears knew their limits. Sure every now and then they wound up in someone’s backyard, maybe found a garbage pail, a low birdfeeder or some other scrap. But they still resisted bold interaction with humans.
Used to be; less black bears, not only in New Jersey, but around the United States now they are on the increase in every state but still under control through hunting. In New Jersey however, we have a black bear “epidemic” created by a political “epidemic” of interference with the state’s Fish & Wildlife by the Governor’s office. Fueling this controversy are anti-hunting/animal-rights groups and a DEP that refuses to support the professional, experienced wildlife biologists and Fish&Game Council. These groups continue to misinform and mislead a very busy Governor who is struggling with the financial woes of N.J. If the Governor were given the correct information he would quickly understand the danger to humans, the success of hunting in (26) other states with large black bear populations, the money he could save by stopping all of these taxpayer, funded court battles and the money he could earn by adding black bear hunting to the hunting licenses and permit revenue stream. The Fish&Game, hunters and citizens would never allow the black bear population to shrink to extinction; we need a balanced population for safe coexistence with humans.
Used to be; that everyday common-sense played a supporting role in decision making. Common-sense clearly tells us that the black bear simply cannot be left to multiply beyond the states natural carrying capacity. Even in states with hunting land development has influenced the black bears behavior. Those that lack common-sense indicate that proves hunting does not work. Common-sense rebuts with statistics showing that without centuries of hunting these same states would now be overrun with black bears further inflating serious intrusive complaints and attacks on domestic livestock and humans. In New Jersey, complaints went down after hunts in 2003 and 2005 (the last hunt in N.J.) and up in 2007, 2008 and again in 2009 with more aggressive black bear behavior being reported.
Used to be; humans could sit out in the privacy of their backyards to enjoy the “tax-paid-for” property they escape to after a working day. A place for the children to meet and play or perhaps it is supposed to be a relaxing day in someone’s retired life. Now we have to contend with “overpopulated” non-human-fearing, black bears. Day or night they roam taking away the peace and security of our homes.
Many so-called bear experts continue to ignore the warning signs, by writing again and again on how to tolerate black bears, how to co-exist, while the black bear counters with increased aggressiveness towards humans. The black bears of New Jersey have “NO-FEAR” and studies show that their once shy behavior has steadily been changing to an unpredictable aggressive behavior. Wild animals are “unpredictable” and when they are large and strong they are dangerous.
The peaceful chorus of frogs; chirping are the tree-frogs, croaking deeply are the bull-frog, they give us free entertainment and hunt pesky bugs and mosquito’s and as the dusk of another day greets us we can close our eyes and live in the beauty of our own backyard wilderness; SNAP, POP, BANG what the heck? Yup now we have the sound of a black bear like a drunk at a ballgame spoiling the day. Silencing the frogs and sending us scrambling quickly to safety, hope we all get there in time. From a safe place we watch a big beautiful male moving with a certain poetic gate; stopping now and then his nose to the sky as he wind-scents then standing on hind legs for a better view, gracefully he comes back down on all fours and moves forward. He looks out of place, this majestic bear now on display in a large development akin to a zoo. Oh, he knows we are watching and the look on his face somehow expresses the disgust of leaving the beauty of once hidden forest land to be a part of fast paced human habitant. Perhaps he can steal a leftover meal from some unsecured garbage pail or maybe find a rabbit cage or a kitchen door leading to some freshly baked pies. Maybe today he won’t be in such a good mood and find some human to threaten, maybe swipe, maybe worse. A child would be easier prey. Well he doesn’t particularly like to pick on humans but time has taught him that he is bigger, stronger and humans!! They don’t fight back so maybe today he will be your typical bully.
Maybe that look on his face tells us of better times, times when there were less brothers, sisters and cousins occupying the hidden forests, times when he didn’t have to cope with camera crazy humans, times when a human would be lucky to see him. Now humans are his “paparazzi” they follow him for candid shots, they are intrusive and annoying. Hunters; they kill but he has a chance to use his skills against theirs, he is good and when the population is reduced to the proper numbers he will be difficult to find, he will go back to the forest where he relaxed and enjoyed his clandestine lifestyle. The strong will survive, the weak will fall and the balance will be good for both him and humans.
Frogs give us peace when we hear them; black bears give us peace when we don’t see them.
So stop the non-sense; use common-sense just how long does anyone really believe that New Jersey can allow the black bear population to continue growing? There just is not enough room and contrary to what the anti’s suggest it is not a matter of “move-out” if you do not like living with bears because human-rights before animal-rights. We need hunting, whether you are a hunter or not, this is the only proven method of wildlife management. Twenty-six (26) out of Twenty-seven (27) states successfully use hunting to control their black bear population.
Contact your state Senators, the Governors office and DEP let them know you support controlled black bear hunting, value human safety and need to know you can enjoy your own “tax-paid-for-property” without fear of wild animals. Let them know that you support black bear rights to exist in their own natural habitant, to survive using their own skills and not be forced to leave their homeland due to black bear overpopulation. New Jersey is preserving forest and farm land through preservation this will help the black bear if there are not too many.
Many of the anti-hunting/animal-rights groups often refer to Dr. Lynn Rogers, Minnesota based so-called bearcourse/bearstudy workshop wherein people can learn to co-exist with black bears.
These courses generally run (4) days and cost approximately $1000.00 (of which $900.00 is listed as tax deductible) The fee goes to the nonprofit (501C) (3) Wildlife Research Center. The deductible $900.00 is the portion beyond actual expenses and is considered a donation to further their research and education program. The courses are coordinated by Sue Mansfield a recent graduate of Antioch University, New England where she completed her Master’s work. Mansfield has been conducting field work with Dr. Rogers since 2001.
Together Rogers and Mansfield monitor approximately (50+) bears in the study area learning the bears personalities. Many of these bears are monitored through radio-collars.
Courses are conducted at the Northwoods Research Center and surrounding forest west of Ely, Minneosta.
The course as noted; helps participants to realize the extent of the misconceptions held by the public and anyone who has not actually spent time with bears.
Rogers is noted as one of the world’s experts on black bear behavior and has shown that black bears can be lived with in peace. However, he cautions others severely that his techniques have taken long periods of time to learn to read animals signs.
Rogers further states “It took many years for me to overcome the brain-washing I grew up with about bears. Finally I began to interpret their body language and vocalizations in terms of their fears rather than my fears, and I found that I could build trusting relationships with these intelligent wild animals”
Whether intentionally or unintentionally the research of Lynn Rogers is serving the anti-hunters/animal-rights groups by creating the illusion that we can “get-close” to and “co-exist” with wild black bears.The buzz word here is“wild”.
Rogers and Mansfield are working with and studying black bears in an almost “open-zoo” environment.
As noted by Rogers; he built first and second story ledges where he places feed such as seeds, nuts and acorns, 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.
This is simply an old “hunters” game plan. Prior to hunting season in states that allow bear baiting, the hunting outfitters will place (55) gallon drums in the forest and place rotten meat, bread, donuts and molasses inside. This will attract the bears to the area where they will then become accustomed to the feeding schedules. These “food-conditioned” bears will eventually appear as the guides drive into their areas to deposit more food. In fact, in the off-season the outfitters will place buckets of hard bacon or other meat fats, in these locations so any chance the bears get they can return to the baited areas for supplemental refills.
It is no secret that once a black bear or most wild game for that matter find a food source they eventually will become more comfortable with the surroundings. In places where people feed deer they can rattle a can, place the food next to them and have the deer come out of the nearby woods to practically eat out of their hands.
These study bears are conditioned by repetition and fed to accept human interaction and by no way are a reflection of the wild black bears that populate our states and for purposes of this report New Jersey.
There are two issues here:
First: The majority of humans do not want to create a condition wherein they are sharing backyards and public parks with wild black bears.
Second: In spite of Lynn Rogers’s “homey bears” the black bears that the majority of us must deal with are “wild”, “unpredictable”, “dangerous” and have exhibited a change in behavior from once shy and timid to aggressive.
There have been enough unprovoked black bear attacks over the past year alone that supports the “bad-news-bears”.
Just this month:
Caliente, California; a 56 year old mother was mauled by a bear while walking her dogs. Only through the sacrifice of her dogs did she somehow manage to escape though badly bitten and mauled. A nature lover with years of experience in the Sierras, the woman said she’s had countless encounters with bears, and always believed it wasn’t in their nature to attack. But her latest encounter has changed her mind for good.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park; an eight year old boy and his father were mauled by a black bear that pounced on the boy in a creek without provocation. No food was present the bear simply attacked the boy.
“This is so rare”, said Lynn Rogers, I don’t know if you would call a bear like that a demented bear, like some people, or a super bear that decides, ‘Hey, I can take a person” quite a remark from the so-called bear expert.
Well if Rogers would further his research to other areas in the U.S. and Canada places where black bears are “wild” and not fed and studied in the “open-zoo” he would find the answer.
Perhaps so best observed by another more practical bear expert; Stephen Herrero who recanted a Rogers like analogy Herrero had published in his 1985 book on black bears stating that “black bears were essentially benevolent”.
Herrero stated under oath while giving a deposition in a black bear mauling lawsuit against Arizona in a 1996 mauling of a 16 year old girl by a relocated nuisance black bear that traveled back some 100 miles to the same location to attack andpermanently disfigure the teenager:
“I do think that there is more danger than I realized from food conditioned, habituated, and aggressive bears, the combination of the three. And if I were rewriting that chapter, I would emphasize that there are three ingredients, habituations, the food conditioning, and rewarding aggressive behavior over time that increased the chances of injury…I have learned since the publication of the book that there is more involvement in serious injuries by black bears than I knew of at the time that I wrote the book.”
Dr. Rogers has been compared some to Dr. Jane Goodall, who interestingly has been criticized by some for; “using feeding stations to attract Gombe chimpanzees” for research.
As for comparisons to Dian Fossey there are none as this very brave and talented woman was studying the vanishing Mountain Gorilla in dangerous, remote areas of Africa where the population, due mainly to poaching, was down to less than 200.
Here is the problem with today’s black bears; they are no longer shy and timid. The human population and development of land has created the need to control and maintain a specific number of black bears that can move about in their own natural habitant.
In essence, black bears do not need to be observed as in the Lynn Rogers open zoo environment, do not need to be fed to bring them into research areas, there is no need to reach out and touch them they should be left to the privacy of the woods and forests where they are born.
Bears are at the top of the food chain and in order to maintain a “healthy black bear population” and this will sound challenging to some, there must be hunting by their only real predator, man. Through, this proven wild game management tool the black bears can be controlled to a number wherein they have enough room to move about in their own natural environment.
In states where we have hunting and still have black bear problems this is an indication that the bear population is not consistent with available habitant. States like Pennsylvania recognize this and adjust their hunting seasons accordingly.
Just imagine what black bear problems we would have in our country today if not for the black bear hunting seasons of our (26) sister states that understand the need to separate politics and emotions from biologists’ input. Hundreds of thousands of black bears would be around today and with them triple the attacks, injuries, deaths and problems.
Lastly, sterilization and other proposed non-lethal remedies have failed and will continue to fail; this is not part of the wild game enviroement. There is no more time for the stall tactics of the anti-hunting/animal-rights groups, inexperienced politicians with personal agendas or the mislead public’s emotions. Non-lethal methods have never and will never work this has been proven in N.J. when black bear problems were down the year after each hunt and substantially increased the years after non-hunting. Wild game is taught to survive, the strong do for the most part to live and breed, others become part of our human food source and other products which is exactly why they were created. No different than domestic animals like cows, goats, chickens, etc a food source.
out the daylight, chirping birds quite now as they retreat to their hideaways. On cue tree-frogs having rested all day, begin their hunt for food, small insects and bugs. As the night progresses the males will begin to croak and call out for the females in choruses, first a group from the left, then the right, then in front, back and forth their sound traveling for long-distances. 
NJ Bear Hunt 
