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.

Mike D.

(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

 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:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm

Take the time to read this report, put any emotions aside and allow the WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS OF OUR NJDF&W TO DO THE JOB THEY WERE TRAINED FOR.

Mike D

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Yes and Yes

Now we have a Governor that did not play “bear” politics when he was running for office. Governor Christi made it brief and simple; “A black bear hunt, yes”.

Then in spite of the efforts of the animal-right/anti-hunting groups to pull out all stops for preventing Chris Christi from winning the election, he became Governor Christi.

Governor Christi’s problems are far greater than the black bear “overpopulation” issue, nevertheless he has not waivered in his support of the qualified experts that are responsible for making these recommendations; New Jersey Division Fish & Wildlife, Fish & Game Council and the expert biologists.

Unfortunately, for years the anti’s have been able to toss this political football about casting shadows of doubt over these professionals. They even forced N.J. to go out of state and solicit research from East Stroudsburg, PA. Well guess what? The University came up with an estimated N.J. black bear population of 3,438 in 2009.

So with this information, by the way, confirming what our own state F&G estimated, the N.J.F &G Council now has moved forward to include the states’ first black bear hunt since 2005 in it’s proposed bear management policy.

Already, the anti’s are rattling up the sabers once again;

Sierra Club Director, Jeff Tittel; “Today’s action by the F&G Council is a step backward for bear management in New Jersey. His group believes garbage is at the root of problems with nuisance bears. Then more alternatives:

Protect bear habitats

Hire bear conservation officers

Use non-lethal conflict resolution, educating humans on how to avoid attracting bears.

Janet Piszar, Director of the Bear Education and Resource Group called the report; “a smokescreen based on junk science”

With studies conducted by experienced state biologists and research from the highly respected East Stroudsburg University, we have Janet Piszar, the Queen of smokescreen and junk reports using all of her non-game-management expertise to fling stones once again.

Well Jeff and Janet we have been there and done that SORRY, not this time; as I have written in more than 100 articles and opeds combined; None of these actions alone have worked nor will work in reducing, containing and maintaining a safe black bear to human ratio.

WHY? Because N.J. politicians of the past have allowed these groups to interfere with scientific wildlife management resulting in the unsafe black bear population we have in New Jersey today.

Of course, everyone understands that garbage should be a part of any black bear management program but, hunting alone, has been and will always be the key to wildlife population management, especially with black bears.

For those that believe hunting is not effective consider that out of (27) states with large black bear populations (26) have successfully used hunting as the primary means of population control for decades. Only New Jersey, with successful hunts in 2003 and 2005 has allowed politics, inexperience and emotions to interfere with black bear management.

Take a quick look at what goes on in our bordering states of New York and Pennsylvania:

New York: 54,475 square miles; estimated black bear population 6000 to 7000

2006- 1592 (harvested by hunters)

2007- 1094

2008- 1295

2009- 1487

Pennsylvania: 46,055 square miles; estimated black bear population 15,000

2006- 3122 (harvested by hunters)

2007- 2360

2008- 3458

2009- 3512

(Lower numbers were the result of adverse weather conditions with these states now extending the black bear season when required to balance the harvest.)

New Jersey: 8722 square miles; estimated black bear population 3438

1970 to 2002 no hunting

2003- 328 (harvested by hunters)

2005- 298

2006 through 2009 no hunting

What can we learn from just our bordering states? That hunting has worked for decades, it results in “POPULATION CONTROL”, IT IS SUCCESSFUL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

We need to reach out to Acting Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin, as the anti’s will certainly be looking to pressure his office with their same old rhetoric. The Governor will not be reached, they know that.

Already we can sense the problems black bears will cause in 2010, with snow on the ground and freezing weather we have had attacks on domestic pets. A (16) year old border collie killed in Wayne, New Jersey and the bear found living unknown right under someone’s deck.

This demonstrates that “overpopulation” leads to expansion, many of the black bears live in areas of northern N.J. where state lands border developments. These bears are roaming

because New Jersey’s 8722 square miles, of which is mostly developed land, cannot accommodate a black bear population of 3438, a population that will continue to increase out of control unless wildlife managers are allowed to hold annual hunts to contain this population to a safe, coexisting number.

Do not buy this animal-right/anti-hunting non-sense that it can be done with garbage control and education alone; IT CANNOT. As laymen just use plain common-sense; we cannot allow the black bear to multiply year after year to whatever number they can reach. Once they are hunted and the population brought under control they will avoid human contact (hunting is the most effective adverse training) and with reduced numbers have room to roam back into their own natural habitant. Of course, a stray may wander into some town, but no where near the danger zones of today.

Lastly, Governor Christi has major economic problems to deal with in New Jersey, we do not need to clog up our courts and waste taxpayers money on “FRIVOLOUS” lawsuits by the anti’s to delay the inevitable black bear hunt. We also should not play to the anti’s attacks on our NJDF&W that has resulted in stopping them from performing their jobs to the fullest; meaning that the state should charge for black bear hunting permits and pick up the revenue.

No anti’s this is not about trophy hunting or F&W generating revenue it is real wildlife management and taking in fees as does every other of the (26) states; it is about HUMAN RIGHTS & SAFETY; It is about faith in experienced professionals and not the emotional rhetoric of animal-right/anti-hunting groups.

We need to start the black bear hunting season now and continue on a managed basis in the future with controlled annual hunts. We have to allow a few seasons to get the black bear population under control. To make it clear; no one especially Today’s’ NJDF&G OR HUNTERS WOULD EVER ADVOCATE HUNTING BLACK BEARS TO EXTINCTION, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AS IT HAS NOT IN THE (26) OTHER STATES THAT HOLD BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASONS.

Contact the DEP AND Governor’s office; support the experts of our own New Jersey Fish and Game Council.

Governor Christi; (609) 292-6000

DEP Bob Martin; (609) 292-2885

Mike D

 

 

 

 

 

Déjà vu

Black Bears and Governor Christi

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

 Mike D

 

 

 

The black bears in New Jersey had been successfully preserved through the years as a result of efforts from the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife/Fish & Game Commission and the professional state biologists. Supporting and upholding these laws were the sportsmen of N.J., the very same “hunters” now accused by the anti’s of wanting to annihilate the black bear.

 

Since 2000 however, the efforts of NJF&W/F&G have been thwarted by animal-right/anti-hunting groups that have managed to turn black bear overpopulation into a political issue. This all started through the weakness of former Governor Whitman, whose last minute decision to stop the 2000 hunt laid the groundwork for the issues we are facing today.

 

On a national level, animal-right/anti-hunting organizations lost the majority of battles wherein they attempted to shift the responsibility of wildlife management from F&G professionals to politicians. Therefore, the anti’s honed in on New Jersey as a last battleground. They picked the right state where vote hungry politicians were always ready to jump into any arena that might lead to more votes.

 

It is an actual, documented fact that out of (27) states with large enough black bear populations to require “population-control” only New Jersey politicians have allowed inexperienced, emotional driven, animal-right/anti-hunting groups to interfere with the long-standing and successful population management of black bears made possible through “HUNTING”.

 

Now we have a new no-nothing group opening up shop under:

“Northern New Jersey Bear Alliance”

Their goal in a “nutshell” to dispel the myth of black bears being predatory or dangerous creatures. So this new organization starts off with lies and misleading information; same ole, same ole anti’s nonsense. 

Here are some examples from their web information site:

 

The Controversy Continues: They, NNJBA, cite 1970 when the game authorities suspended bear hunting due to a diminished population Then just listen to this non-sense; For the next (33) years residents coexisted peacefully with what bears existed. In 2003 under pressure from hunting lobbyist organizations a hunt was approved.

“Well, of course people existed peacefully; you hardly saw a bear because they were growing in numbers but still had enough “then-undeveloped-land” to roam in peace.”

Hunters, hunters mind you, not the millions of non-hunting citizens from Wayne, Totowa, Morristown, Passaic, Bergen and now all of the counties in New Jersey, only hunters want you to believe that the current overpopulation is a “point-of-concern”. Another misconception, as currently millions of N.J. citizens understand “overpopulation dangers” and support a black bear hunt.

NNJBA states; the state (N.J.) has contracted a state university in PA. to conduct a population study, Well want to know why? Because the politicians and anti’s in New Jersey have so put down our own F&W professionals that any numbers NJF&G reports is quickly challenged by these groups and taken to court.

 

NNJBA states that regulated hunts has no effect in reducing incidents or encounters. This is a major outright, anti-hunting lie. Contact any of the (26) states with large black bear populations and find out what problems they would be facing today if they had allowed their black bear populations to grow to whatever number they could reach through the years.

 

Sport-Trophy- Recreational Hunting:

NNJBA, claims that modern weaponry has taken the actual “thrill” of the hunt out of the equation. “High-powered- recurve bows”; (no such weapon exists as a high-powered- recurve bow) in fact, the same poundage’s have existed since the recurve bows introduction), Compound bows, shotguns with scopes, crossbows give the hunter an advantage?

I believe there is some confusion on the author’s behalf here; so the NNJBA would rather see the old weapons used, that were less effective in many hands, rather than a modern weapon that enables culling of the animal quickly and cleanly, with the animal suffering as little as possible.

NNJBA further states that they have no opposition against an individual enjoying his sport of shooting, but its opposition is centered on the reasons why an animal’s life (bear-deer-turkey, etc (etc???) must be taken for “bragging rights”

So if I read through this confusion then; NNJBA is not against hunting as long as traditional hunting equipment is used and only small bears, deer and turkeys are harvested and they are carried out of the woods rather than being transported by an ATV or pick-up???

Well, let’s see that would pertain to about 10% of the hunters in N.J.  as the majority hunt any size game, don’t use ATC’S or trucks in the woods and in fact these vehicles are not even allowed on the state lands.

 

A Changing Perception

NNJBA wants to convince the public that fear of a black bear is unfounded. The fact that a black bear has not killed a human in 110 years refutes this contention by proponents of a hunt, “they say.”

 

Well here we go again, 110 years, it was only 1970 when we had hardly any bears in N.J. and 110 years ago this was a state with vast forests and fewer people travelling about on horseback and  horse drawn wagons, Wyatt Earp was still alive, come on; we all know that a 110 year history has absolutely no bearing on black bear activities taking place from 2000 to 2009 when overpopulation came into play.

 

In America we have learned to prepare for and avoid tragedies, not to ignore warnings like looking past the numerous black bear to human dangerous encounters, the documented and proven increases in all overall, intrusive, black bear behavior and instead consider only “meaningless statistics” from non-professional tree-huggers, that will result in some unsuspecting, mislead human to be seriously mauled or killed by a “2009” overpopulated black bear.

 

Look, this is no longer an issue of; No Feeding Bans, Trash Control, property bear-proofing and adverse-conditioning techniques through educational literature and leaflet handouts.

Almost everyone knows this now and in fact the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has had this information posted on their website for years along with leaflet handouts as well.

 

Game over; none of this will reduce the current, black bear overpopulation problem, nor contain that population through the coming years.

 

The ignorance of these groups should be quite clear to even the simplest mind as they attempt to have people ignore the numbers; the continual rise in domestic and livestock attacks and killing, attacks on humans, human to black bear dangerous encounters, house break-ins and the overall increase in black bear complaints in general. 

 

Twenty-six other states have successfully used hunting, many for decades, as the most effective method of black bear population control, it works, and they maintain a healthy number of black bears and reduce the dangers to humans to the lowest possible levels.

 

It is these animal-right/anti-hunting groups that pose the greatest danger for the New Jersey Black Bear; if they are not hunted to an acceptable population that allows the majority of black bears to enjoy the seclusion of forests that can support their existence, they will soon be regarded as “vermin” and this will have greater negative consequences for the black bear that hunting ever could.

 

Remember, no one, F&G, hunters or non-hunters supporting a black bear hunt would ever let the black bear be hunted to extinction, after all this is “2009” , it won’t happen.

 Support a N.J. black bear hunt, we cannot allow another year of population growth without a tragedy to some human, now this is the plain and simple truth as supported by; “ABBA” Actual Black Bear Activity.

 

Mike D

 

 

 

Black Bears Are Taking Over The Garden State

 

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.

Mike D

Bear Over Population In NJ

Since the last allowed hunt in 2005 and beginning in 2007 through this year 2009, the lack of hunting to reduce and maintain a safe black bear population has led to a “red-alert” level of dangerous black bear activity. 

The problem is animal-right and anti-hunting groups that have basically lost battles to stop hunting throughout the country. In (27) other states with large enough black bear populations to cause a safety issue for the human population, the Governors, Republican and Democratic alike have not allowed these groups to interfere and stepped aside to allow their professional, experienced wildlife commissions and biologists to control the problem. 

With major losses in other states these groups focused on New Jersey where starting with Governor Whitman in 2000 they have been able to use a fragmented government to their benefit. They have spent enormous sums of money enabling them to keep this in the political arena through the lure of votes.   

The Governors office and DEP have fallen prey to misleading information and lies buying into the call for bear hunting as nothing more than blood thirsty hunters looking for trophies and a Fish&Wildlife wanting to sell more hunting licenses in order to save their jobs.

While millions of non-hunting New Jersey citizens support hunting as well as Senators from bear problem areas, the animal-right/anti-hunting groups, of much less support, continue to flood the Governors’ office and DEP with protests.

These animal-right/anti-hunting groups never come up with any suggestion on how to handle this problem other than GARBAGE, GARBAGE, and GARBAGE. Yes, their whole solution to black bear population control is to secure all garbage. 

Well let’s set the record straight; the majority of us that support a hunt also support GARBAGE control, no question here. But, but, we also know that secured garbage alone, will not solve the current black bear overpopulation issue and will not reduce the growing black bear population. Because of the interference from these groups, a hunt is now inevitable. At this point you do not need to be a biologist to figure this out; black bears will continue to propagate year after year, as they have done since the last hunt in 2005. Herein lies the problem; New Jersey, as do many other states (27) to be exact, does not have the room for uncontrolled growth of the black bear population. 

What we do have, is a black bear problem in areas bordered by state hunting lands and thousands of acres of private hunting lands. This means that hunting in areas like Vernon, West Milford, Sussex, Montague, Blairstown, etc. will really lead to the culling of bears that now roam into the developments and communities surrounding these areas. Once these bears are culled back it will leave room for the remaining bears to drift back into the security of the forests. This then will reduce the flow of black bears throughout the state.

More importantly, hunting is the “best’ adverse conditioning a black bear will learn. We all agree that black bears are smart, we know that because in New Jersey, they have nothing to fear; pot banging, horn blowing even rubber bullets are easy for them to get used to. Hunting however; the bears will figure out after a season that humans represent danger, this again is adverse conditioning. Once again let’s be upfront, even hunting will not stop all bears from roaming into human populated areas, but it will reduce these intrusions to a less dangerous level, one we can all cope with. 

The New Jersey F&W and biologists, who are responsible for bringing back the black bear population, have no intentions of allowing hunting to destroy it. Hunters who have a proven track record of following the rules are not looking to destroy the black bear. What is the proven track record? Hunters with few exceptions have respected the F&G, for decades and the recent Governor and DEP whose interventions stopped the bear hunt.  

We, hunters and non-hunters supporting a hunt, also know that hunting alone will not stop black bear problems, because development of land and/or years when the bear’s natural food is not available, like wild apple trees, berries, nuts, herbs, plant parts, etc. will impact their decision to roam areas of human activity, invade houses, kill domestic animals and livestock and maybe lead to dangerous encounters with humans. But hunting is a proven method that will drastically reduce these problems. 

So we all want to find a solution, respect the law, honor this great black bear but how? Here!

Respect the legal right of our citizens to hunt and the right to harvest their own food, some people go to the store letting others do the harvesting, cows, pigs etc, while many others prefer finding their own; the end result is a meal either way. 

Allow a controlled hunt to reduce the major black bear over-population at hand. 

Continue to monitor the population and adverse human encounters and complaints. 

Expect, demand our F&W & biologists to monitor the population and regulate bear hunting so we do not overhunt the black bear. 

Do not feed black bears. 

Leave the black bears alone; resist photo ops or human contact that will take away their fear or apprehension of humans. 

Support and encourage garbage security with our family, friends and neighbors. 

The police do not have the time, nor should they actually be side tracked with bear problems, so make a citizens report of unsecured garbage to the proper authorities. 

This is a plan, we as supporters of a hunt and/or hunters must do our part and the animal-right, even anti-hunters must come to grips with the fact that hunting is the only, proven method of reducing and maintaining a wild animal, in this case the black bear. 

We each need to give a little, to better understand each other because if any wild animal, especially a potentially dangerous one, is simply allowed to propagate to whatever number they can reach, the end result will be more drastic than hunting; attacks on humans, sooner than later serious injuries or death and then the black bear will be totally disrespected and wasted. Remember, only one Smokey Bear helps put out forest fires, the rest live in the real world. 

Mike D

2009 Action 

There are several OP-EDS within this website, njbearhunt.com ,that will provide readers with real facts concerning the overpopulated New Jersey Black Bears. Please read so you can become familiar with the truth. 

The simple fact however, is that EVERY STATE, with a large enough black bear population to create a human safety issue, holds annual hunting seasons to bring about and maintain a safe coexisting black bear population. 

New Jersey is the only state that does not and as a result of cancelled hunts in 2006 and 2007, 2008 saw the largest increase in all categories of black bear complaints. 

This issue cannot be allowed to remain a political football any longer because some poor human is inevitably going to be seriously mauled or killed by a black bear if the population is not lowered and bears adversely conditioned to be fearful of humans; both of which will be accomplished through annual hunting seasons. 

This year with the Global Financial crisis affecting the entire United States and New Jersey of course, our citizens will be looking for “staycations”, staying at home in our backyards and local recreation areas. There will be cookouts, families and friends getting together, children playing outside, all targets for serious bear conflicts created by the increase in human activity and an “out-of-control” overpopulated black bear that has absolutely no fear of humans. 

I would implore you, especially the Bear Group, Humane Society and other anti-hunting groups to stop this charade, you are publishing lies and misleading information and starting your blitz on the politicians to stop a hunt. 

Anyone, any of you politicians out there please use a little common sense; with (26) out of (27) states successfully using hunting for decades to maintain a healthy, coexisting black bear population why would you think New Jersey can be different? 

Black Bears in New Jersey have three to five cubs each year; they cannot simply be left to multiply any longer. Just where does anyone suppose the black bears are going to live, we are out of room.  

For the millions of the non-hunting public that understands the need for hunting in culling and controlling wildlife populations, you must write and voice your opinions because it appears that our politicians do not listen to facts and figures, successful hunting programs of (26) other states they seem to be fixed on counting potential votes. They refrain from dealing with political hot potatoes. Do not let these groups get away with making this a trophy hunt wanted by blood thirsty hunters, this is about human safety and protection. 
 
 

Here are the contacts:

Mr. David Chanda

Director Div. Fish & Wildlife

Dept. of Environmental Protection

Doc # 05-09-03/718

P.O. Box 400

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0400 

Governor Jon Corzine

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 001

Trenton, New Jersey 08625 

Commissioner Mark Mauriello

Dept. of Environmental Protection

C-401 E. State Street

P.O. Box 402

Trenton, New Jersey 08625 

Somehow in your own words let these people know that HUMAN LIFE is INVALUABLE and that common sense dictates black bears can never just be left to multiply, they are already overpopulated. None of us wants to read the news when a black bear seriously mauls or kills a human and certainly those of us living the nightmare in bear country fear the day it is one of our family or friends.

For all the love we have for animals none should compare to that of human life nor the agony of watching a human being suffer and die. 

Mike D

 

The first and most important bit of “factual” information any New Jersey resident needs to know is;

 

 “THERE ARE MORE BLACK BEARS THAN THE STATE’S HUMAN POPULATION CAN BEAR.”

 

The second most important bit of “factual” information is that some Animal-Right and Anti-Hunting groups have preyed upon New Jersey politicians by providing them with false and misleading information regarding hunting black bears. They have shifted the focus to politics and created the illusion that a black bear hunt is unpopular among voters.

 

The third most important bit of “factual” information is that serious black bear incidents went down the following years of the (2003) and (2005) hunt and drastically increased beginning in 2007 and more than doubled in the next (12) months of 2008 all because of canceled hunts.

Category (1) – Black Bears that are a threat to public safety and property; these are the most serious bear-human interactions and include livestock kills, pet kills, vehicle entries, home entries, attacks on humans, unprovoked dog attacks, and similar events.

Category (1) Incidents increased (+ 146%) with (112) incidents in 2007 to (276) incidents in 2008.

In all Categories 1, 2 and 3 the state’s black bear unit received (2814) calls from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2008 an increase of (102%) from 2007 where (1395) calls were received for the same time period.

 

The fourth most important bit of “factual” information is that currently (27) states have a large enough black bear population to create a public safety concern. Of those (27) states (26) include hunting as the primary method of population control. Only New Jersey has political leaders challenging the professional biologists of the New Jersey Fish &Wildlife and Fish & Game by postponing and blocking recommended hunts required to reduce the black bear population to a safe level of co-existence between humans and the bears.

The Governors of these (26) other states are both Democratic and Republican. They all acknowledge and understand the emotions of those sincere people that have a problem with hunting in general; however, they trust and support the professional biologists of their Fish & Wildlife departments; they brush aside those animal-right and anti-hunting groups that use issues like black bear hunting as an agenda targeting hunting in general; they are not willing to jeopardize human safety in order to secure votes.

 

Wildlife management is a specializied profession and the experts in this field including certified biologists, have an obligation to “protect” wildlife while at the same time establishing legal limits and methods of population control through recreational hunting. Their job is not an easy one in New Jersey where the animal-right/anti-hunting groups have been able to use deceptive information to get the ears of vote hungry politicians.

 

Here is an example of just one of the recent typical misleading articles published by The Humane Society of the United States:

(1)

Hunting May Increase, Not Decrease, Human-Bear Conflicts

New Jersey hunting proponents claim that reducing the number of black bears will reduce human-bear conflicts. But a growing bear population doesn’t necessarily lead to more problems. Between 1985 and 2002, the estimated Minnesota bear population increased from 8,000 to 21,000 but complaints dropped from 2,859 to 625. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suggested a link between the drop in complaints and residents learning to live with bears and prevent more conflicts.

 

The Truth

Minnesota holds annual black bear hunting seasons to include; rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader and bow/arrow. The following is the states reported numbers black bears harvested by hunters:

First line is the year, second line is the number of bears harvested, and third line is the number of recorded nuisance complaints received. From 1987 to 1995 these were complaints examined on site while from 1996 to 2008 these were complaints handled by phone and other received.

 

1987    1988  1989  1990  1991 1992  1993 1994 1995 1996  1997 1998 1999 2000

1577  1509  1930  2381  2143 3175  3003 2329 4956 1874  3212 4110 3620 3898

 789    771   1117  1890   935  1562  1010  696  1568 1296  2857  743   987   723

 

2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008

      4936  1915  3598  3391  3340  3290  3172  2135

        782    625   505    582    512     483   443     551

 

The number of harvested bears varies based upon established quotas with weather conditions affecting harvest numbers in certain years.

 

The Humane Society then fails to mention that in (22) years Minnesota has allowed hunters to harvest 65,494 black bears while still maintaining a black bear population to a safe co-existing number. Nuisance complaints have been high in some years but from 2000 through 2008 they have been at a steady low.

 

Land development and housing as in every state has an impact on the number of complaints received, there will never be a time when any state that allows hunting will have no nuisance complaints.

 

Common sense should also enlighten us to two facts:

 

·        What would the complaints be if 65,494 black bears were not harvested, plus newborns that would have drastically increased this number?

·        With 65,494 black bears harvested Minnesota still maintains a healthy black bear population.

(2) New Jersey’s hunt targets the bears that are least likely to come into conflict with humans, because the hunt takes place far from inhabited areas.

 

Another misleading and false statement;  Truth: New Jersey has more than 750,000 acres of public hunting lands of which thousands of acres border problem black bear areas. West Milford and Vernon and several other towns in Sussex and Warren counties have developments surrounded by these state lands. In addition, private hunting properties abound throughout the state also surrounding problem areas. A hunt would definitely include harvesting of substantial numbers of black bears that are causing damage and threats to human safety.

 

(3) The hunt may actually increase conflicts, since hunters are allowed to lure bears on non-federal lands with bait such as pastries and cooking grease. Habituating bears to human food sources teaches them to seek out homes, campgrounds and other human-related food sources.

 

Here we go again another false statement: Truth: The N.J. hunting regulations make it unlawful to bait bear and in fact since the bear season ran in conjunction with the whitetail deer season, it was illegal to even hunt over the remains of a field dressed deer as well as F&G considered this bear bait..

 

(4) New Jersey Hunters want a Trophy Hunt:

 

Truth: New Jersey would not be considered a “Trophy Hunting State” although there is no doubt there are some large black bears in N.J. the majority are not in a trophy class, there are just too many bears and size is not the common denominator for culling the population.

 

There are only two issues that the animal-right/anti-hunting groups are correct in stating and it should be pointed out that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife had pointed out these same rules long before the anti’s plagiarized them from the F&W pamphlets and website:

 

·        Secure Garbage in some form of bear-resistant garbage can.

·        If possible, keep garbage in until garbage day.

 

(We would also suggest drilling a one inch hole in the top of the garbage can lid and line the top of the garbage with a few paper towels, then soak the towels with ammonia when putting the garbage out for pick-up. It is important to use the paper towels as they will contain the ammonia longer and prevent the garbage pick-up people from being sprayed with ammonia.)

 

As for adverse conditioning, once the black bear is hunted annually they will very quickly become ADVERSELY conditioned to avoid humans.

 

The harvesting of bears will open up their own natural habitant giving them more room to roam in the environment they prefer.

No matter what anyone feels about hunting, it is legal, it is effective and it the only proven way to reduce and maintain a safe, co-existing number of black bears to humans.

 

With all do respect to the sincere people that simply do not like the killing of any animal you have to look at the facts and the need to protect human life before wildlife. Harvesting and consuming wild game is a right and choice of a free society and whether an individual prefers to shop the super market for slaughtered meat or hunt their own, in fact more healthy, non-processed meat, is not wrong, it is a right for those who wish to do so.

 

New Jersey, like the rest of the world is going through a financial crisis, we do not need to waste money on “stall tactics” for stopping a black bear hunt while asking state workers to work less hours and cutting jobs as well.

If we do what is right, what (26) other states do successfully, we can reduce the danger to humans from overpopulated black bears and instead of wasting money earn some through black bear hunting permit fees.

 

We need a hunt this year the black bear population cannot be allowed to continue growing as this will keep forcing the expansion of their travel and need for food. All the warning signs are here, and we will be in for some serious danger if we allow non-sense to override common-sense and politics to overrule the professional biologists we have in place to perform the task.

 

It is not only hunters that support a black bear hunt it is millions of non-hunting citizens that recognize and respect the right to hunt and the proven effect of hunting on controlling wild game populations.

Let’s face it (26) other states cannot be wrong and New Jersey the only one right.

New Jersey is a battleground state for animal-right/anti-hunting groups they are pouring money and time into this fight with no regard at all for human safety.

Governor Corzine, must hear from the other side, we must get his attention so he can take the time to research this further. The Governor speaks to the hard decisions to be made regarding budget cuts and worker time reductions and layoffs, he understands this perfectly clear. Once he fully understands the problem and remedy through hunting, he will be able to suck it up and make the right decision; allow the F&G experienced professionals to handle the problem they are paid to do.  

·        Contact the Governor (609) 292-6000 or e-mail through the Governors state website.

·        Contact Acting DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello (609) 292-2994

 

“Simply state that you support a hunt to reduce the states black bear population and oppose the misleading tactics of the animal-right/anti-hunting groups that try to keep this a political issue rather than professional wildlife management as is practiced successfully in (26) other states.”

 

Mike D