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Should there be Black Bear Hunt in New Jersey?

March 10, 2010 by njhunt

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Black Bears in New Jersey 2010

February 10, 2010 by njhunt

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

 

 

 

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Preservation of Black Bears in New Jersey

November 10, 2009 by njhunt

Black bears in NJ

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

 

 

 

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Black Bears Take Over Garden State

October 16, 2009 by njhunt

Black Bears Are Taking Over The Garden State

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

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The Need For a Bear Hunt, Now

October 16, 2009 by njhunt

The Need for a New Jersey Bear Hunt, Now
By Ed Cartier

Need For A Bear Hunt In NJ, Now

Need For A Bear Hunt In NJ, Now

New Jersey last had a black bear hunting season in 2005. At that time, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) estimated the state’s black bear population to be 1,600 animals. During the six-day season that year, hunters harvested 298 bears, down from the 328 bears taken during the 2003 hunt. Since that last hunting season, New Jersey’s bear population has grown, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)—parent agency of the DFW—now reports that bears are present in every county in the state.
The range of New Jersey’s black bears has grown from a concentration in the northwest section of the state in the late 1990’s, predominantly in Sussex and Warren counties, to a distribution that now includes all but the state’s most densely populated urban areas. Bear populations have expanded to the point that they are encroaching upon suburban areas, and the state DEP reports having received 1,262 bear-related damage and nuisance complaints from Jan. 1 to July 20 of this year. The number of complaints has increased about 20 percent from the same time period in 2008.
In fact, the bear population density in parts of New Jersey, which is the number of bears per square mile, is higher than most states tolerate. According to Dr. Len Wolgast, who taught wildlife biology at Rutgers University for more than 34 years and is a member of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, the generally accepted optimum bear density is one bear per three square miles. In northwest New Jersey, the bear density is three bears per square mile. That translates to nine times the optimum density, and is the highest in the nation.
In an exclusive interview, Wolgast stated that New Jersey’s bear population is very healthy, with the state having trapped, tagged and released black bears weighing more than 700 pounds. He estimated that those same bears could weigh as much as 800 pounds as they begin to bed up for the winter. As a point of comparison, that is the weight of a medium-sized grizzly bear! He went on to say that the reproductive rate of New Jersey black bears is higher than the national average, resulting in an ever-expanding population.
When asked about over-population, Wolgast noted that black bears in New Jersey have exceeded the state’s “cultural capacity.” That is the capacity of the state to carry a species before significant problems arise between residents and members of that species. He stated that the bear population has created agricultural losses in areas including corn farming, fruit orchards, bee keeping, and farms that raise poultry and rabbits. He was very clear that it is detrimental to bears and people when bears are too comfortable around humans. Nuisance bears are shot, and residents are put at risk when bears invade homes and cars.
The Politics of Management
So, if the bears are doing well and obviously breeding and immigrating to the state, largely from Pennsylvania, why has there not been a black bear hunting season in New Jersey since 2005? The answer is simple: politics. Following the 2005 hunt, former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson, with the full support of Gov. Jon Corzine, ordered the DFW to develop a new Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy that had to be approved by the DEP commissioner. The black bear season would be governed by the findings of that policy. The ruling threw out the existing 2005 black bear policy, and the official policy reverted to the plan that was in place in 2000, which had no provisions for a bear season. Bowing to political pressure, no final policy has been issued to date, effectively blocking the possibility of any black bear hunting season.
In place of a hunting season, Jackson stated that non-lethal methods of bear management must be implemented and analyzed before allowing a hunt to proceed. The problem with that approach is that it does not work. When asked about population control, Wolgast dismissed outright the idea of non-lethal means as being effective in managing the bear population. He was very clear that hunting is the only way to maintain a balanced black bear population.
A study commissioned by the New Jersey DEP in 2009 regarding non-lethal means of controlling the black bear population stated, “Managing black bear populations using fertility control will be much more technically difficult and costly than in other wildlife species, such as deer and wild horses, where this approach has been successfully applied. This is a consequence of the difficulty of capture, lower density, and the variable and wide-ranging nature of bear movements. Fertility control is very unlikely to be a feasible means of managing black bear populations in New Jersey.”
The Push for a Hunt
With the failure of the present programs, pressure is growing from a number of sources to re-instate the bear hunt. A contingent of legislators, led by state Sens. Steve Oroho (R-Sussex/Morris/Hunterdon) and Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) and Assembly Members Alison Littell McHose (R-Sussex/Morris/Hunterdon) and Gary Chiusano (R-Sussex/Morris/Hunterdon), are pressuring the governor to reverse the three-year-old policy of attempting to control the bear population with non-lethal means. They cite the high number of bear complaints and the dangers presented when bears become too accustomed to human contact.
“It’s time Governor Corzine put aside politics and his personal feelings about hunting and look at the bigger picture,” said Oroho. “This is a serious matter of public safety. Adults and children alike in our communities are literally under attack because the bear population is not being adequately controlled. It’s obvious this administration’s alternate bear management policies are not working.”
Perhaps the most dramatic example of how fearless bears have become of humans in New Jersey is the case of a Vernon man who had his sandwich stolen by a bear as he packed his car for a trip to New Hampshire. Coming up from behind, the bear knocked the man to the ground and stood over him, holding the sandwich in its mouth. Luckily the victim was able to drive the bear away with a few well-placed kicks before he could have been seriously hurt.
“The prospects for a human tragedy have never been greater, as aggressive bears are chasing children, knocking adults to the ground, and breaking into homes and garages,” said McHose. “Yet Governor Corzine refuses to take off his blinders. Instead of sitting back and hoping for the best, he should listen to the wildlife experts, study the scientific data, and take appropriate and responsible action.”
Chiusano said Corzine is allowing anti-hunting groups to dictate New Jersey’s black bear management policies, rather than listening to the state’s wildlife biologists, who have said a bear hunt is necessary.
“It’s clear Governor Corzine’s current bear management policies are an abject failure. But instead of implementing a reasonable and science-based policy to deal with the escalating bear crisis, it’s also apparent he is allowing animal rights and anti-hunting groups to dictate public policy to the detriment of public safety,” said Chiusano. “The governor needs to take this matter seriously and put it in the hands of wildlife experts where it belongs.”
There has been a push by hunting advocacy groups to re-instate the bear hunt as well. NRA backs a bear hunt in New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Safari Club International (SCI), and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance unsuccessfully filed suit in 2006 to overturn New Jersey’s bear-hunting ban. As recently as Oct. 13, SCI and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs again filed suit to force New Jersey to take action on black bear management.
On the grassroots level, a group of hunters have started a website called www.njbearhunt.com. The website not only supports the bear hunt, but also provides clear information on why the hunt is needed, explains the consequences of not establishing a season, and works to debunk the fallacies regarding the bear hunt that are spread by anti-hunters and uninformed members of the media.
A group has even been formed inside the New Jersey legislature to lobby for the hunt. Recognizing that New Jersey’s hunters, anglers and trappers are often opposed by vocal and well-organized anti-hunting forces, state Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) created the New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus (NJAHCC), hoping to give sportsmen a better voice in the legislature. The NJAHCC is an advocate of reinstating the bear hunt.
“What we’re having now is bears that are running the risk of starving and bears that are becoming a public safety issue. … These poor animals have less space to live in and less food to feed on,” Sweeney said. 
The Future
The current policy of non-lethal means of population control has no track record of success and does nothing to deter bears from invading homes, cars and picnic areas. However, hunting is a sure way to create just the right kind of barrier between bears and humans. By actively pursuing the bears during an established season with defined bag limits, the animals will regain their natural fear of humans and will be more reluctant to engage people near their homes.
The DFW has long advocated for a bear season. Prior to being overturned by the state DEP, the original plans called for an annual bear hunt that would coincide with the state’s deer season. In fact, the current regulations tentatively provide for a bear season, in the event that a hunt is authorized. The Fish and Wildlife Digest states, “The black bear hunting season is closed until the DEP Commissioner approves a comprehensive black bear management policy. Should this policy contain provisions for a black bear season, information will be posted on Fish and Wildlife’s web site.”
In fact, the DFW has been very proactive in extending or establishing hunting seasons for over-populated or nuisance game animals. Witness New Jersey’s extended deer seasons, the areas where an unlimited number of antlerless deer may be taken, new rules allowing the use of crossbows and Sunday bowhunting, and the newly established season for feral hogs in Gloucester County. Only the politicians can answer why bears have been exempted from Fish and Wildlife’s recent pro-hunting policies.
What will it take to restart the black bear hunting season in New Jersey? One sure way is a change of governors. Corzine is up for re-election on Nov. 3, and both Republican candidate Chris Christie and independent Chris Daggett support the hunt. Beyond using their votes to make a change in the state house, New Jersey hunters will have to rely on lobbying and communicating with their representatives, and generating more public awareness of the need for a bear season. It is unfortunate that tried and true wildlife management practices, science and logic seem to have no impact on policy makers.

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New Jersey Black Bears Do We Hunt or Not

August 27, 2009 by njhunt

Bear Over Population In NJ

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

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BLACK BEAR PROBLEMS IN NEW JERSEY 2009

July 31, 2009 by njhunt

As New Jersey enters the (4th) year since the last allowed hunt, the black bear problems have drastically increased.

From Jan. 1, 2009 through June 20, 2009 complaints rose from (1006) black bears in NJduring the same period in 2008 to (1212) for 2009. Homes are being broken into, although reported incidents are running behind from 31 to 15 for this time period, BECAUSE many people are not bothering to call in complaints and/or garage break-ins; why?

 

Let’s take a look at a recent incident in Wayne, N.J. A black bear went into a backyard, knocked down a rabbit coup, broke it apart and took the squirming rabbit and left. When CBS News arrived the reporter immediately said, the bear was “only” after bird food, insinuating that the owners had birdfeeders attracting the bear and that bears do not usually eat rabbit.

What this “bear-ignorant” reporter thought to be birdfeeders were actually “Bird Houses” that do not contain food, just shelter and were not the target of the carnivorous bear; the rabbit was on the menu that day.

 

In less than two weeks Vernon, N.J. police had to shoot two black bears, one that entered a garage and the other that entered a house.

As a result the “misguided” animal right/anti-hunting groups are calling for a protest at the Vernon, Municipal Center and apparently turned this into a religious event by obtaining permission to park at the United Methodist Church.

 

So every legal and accurate attempt to protect human safety is countered by a “no-nothing news media” “animal-right lies” and “anti-hunters that use the black bear as a platform against hunting in general”. Making it worse, vote happy politicians fall on whatever side they believe will produce “votes”. Little do they know is that there are millions of “non-hunting” New Jersey voters that understand the importance of hunting and they have more votes to cast than the noisy anti’s.

 

As a result, the black bear population continues to grow out of control and New Jersey remains the “only” state out of (27) other black bear problem states that does not allow the F&W to hold the necessary and proven hunts required to reduce and maintain a black bear population that allows for a “safe” and “peaceful” co-existence with humans.

 

Now we have the “Police” Departments that are out there to protect us from criminals, enforce traffic control, and respond to emergencies involving “humans” chasing around after black bears. Making matters worse is “protests” against the police for handling Category 1 bears by shooting them as is the LAW.

 

 

 

There is absolutely no way that New Jersey can control the expanding black bear population unless they allow for hunting seasons. We are a state full of problems that continue to crop up each day. The reputation of New Jersey is already tarnished and an issue like the black bear problem fits right into the pattern.

 

Politics and special interest groups are preventing qualified biologists from performing the duties they have been trained in to control this black bear problem.

 

We have had all the warnings we can receive, we have (27) other states that “have been there done that” and have allowed their trained, professional, biologists to successfully use hunting for decades as the primary method of controlling black bear populations. Guess what? It works the black bears are kept at a level of safe co-existence with the human population.

 

Oh! New Jersey, do we need a tragedy, mauling or death from a black bear attack on a human, to add to the already clear evidence that we have a black bear problem? We have a black bear population that needs to be reduced, not pampered by excuses from people that put “animal-welfare” before “human-welfare”, from “politicians” that believe more votes are at stake from “animal-right groups”, from “newspapers” that support animal rights and all of whom refuse to face the truth.

 

We are out of time, support a black bear hunt now, and avoid the inevitable tragedies’ of an overpopulated black bear.

 

Mike D

 

 

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Black Bear Attacks Human in New Jersey?

July 9, 2009 by njhunt

 

Black bear roamingBlack Bear sightings continue to rise in N.J. and with it the danger to humans we still have politicians being influenced by animal-right and anti-hunting groups.

To make matters worst some newspapers are printing this misleading information. For example; June 24, 2009 a N.J. newspaper printed an editorial:

Public showing signs of being able to live with bears.

The bogus reason; something is different, only (6) bears have been euthanized this year. This compares too nearly 30 put down in 2008 and 18 in 2007. What, what the heck?

Surprise, the year is not over and in addition, there have been an increased number of bears hit by cars and killed instantly or died somewhere in the woods.

Of course, they do not comment on the increase of Category (1) bears incidents, the most dangerous, were up 2009 over the same time period for 2008 from 33 (2008) to 42 (2009).

Overall bear incidents to-date, grew from 307 (2008) to 396 (2009) 

Ironically, on Friday, June 26, 2009 a man form Northern, N.J. the town of Vernon reported that he was attacked by a BLACK BEAR while packing his car for a business trip. He alleges that he had placed a sandwich in his trunk while loading other items and the bear suddenly appeared, knocking him to the ground and taking the sandwich. The man kicked at the bear that ran off to the side of his house. Unable to move for some time the man finally made it into the house. The police found the sandwich wrapper on the side of the house and pictures on the internet show severe facial abrasions and, knee, elbow and buttocks bruises.  

Now the anti’s are questioning his story, including one former, relocated member of the North Jersey Bear Group who puts the anti-hunting spin on the story by stating “this story proves again that black bears are not dangerous to humans; because it didn’t kill the man and it is not a story about a bear attacking a man but attacking a sandwich.” (How many once-agains does it take to make a real?)

It would have been more appropriate to find out if the story were true before making such ludicrous comments.  

If the story is true then it was a dangerous, Category 1 attack on a human and should concern the Governor and DEP. The newspapers then should be reporting this as a serious warning to others

Well, let’s assume for now that the story is true. For starters if a (300 lb +) black bear were to swipe a human the immense power of that blow would result in easily knocking down a human and causing the injuries as reported and shown in pictures.

If the story is true then this man did exactly what the animal-right and anti-hunting groups and “real-bear experts” suggest, fight him off.  

The story was reported in a Middletown, New York newspaper one week before it was reported in New Jersey newspapers and the DEP is not yet considering this a Category 1 attack (which is defined as the most serious bear-human interactions and includes livestock kills, pet kills, vehicle entries, home entries, attacks on humans, unprovoked dog attacks and similar events.) 

Now we have Lawrence Herrighty, Assistant Director of the F&W division stating that this is not “yet” being treated as a Category (1) attack on a human because he had no bruises, claw marks or scratches, or even a ripped shirt that indicates a purposeful attack by a bear.

Welcome to the political “dark-side” a new member? New rules; a black bear can push and shove cause physical damage to a human (just locate the photo’s on the internet, they are serious) and somehow this is not an attack because the bear just wanted to get at the sandwich?

Hopefully, the division is exercising a little caution by gathering all facts in order to “clearly” classify this as a Category (1) attack. 

One can certainly understand an investigation to be sure this was a black bear attack and not a trip over a shoelace. However, it shouldn’t take too long to determine if the story is valid. It shouldn’t have taken a week for this story to even be acknowledged in a N.J. newspaper. Citizens depend on the news to make them aware of potential dangerous circumstances, it gives a chance to be more alert and avoid danger. 

If it is true then this just adds to the recent, dangerous black bear activity reported so far in 2009. If it is false that still doesn’t reduce neither the danger nor the validity of already proven, increased black bear to human negative interactions. 

So why does this continue? Because; there is still to much political interference with wildlife management, too much politicking within an area that requires professional Fish & Game biologists to determine the course of action to be taken.

Black bears; the states’ carrying capacity has been met, black bears cannot be allowed to multiply beyond this point, sightings are up, category (1) the most dangerous level is up, people are complaining all over the state as the black bears extend there roaming grounds. 

The Governor is struggling to keep people working, keeping their homes and putting food on the table. I doubt if he sits down at the end of each day and thinks about putting up a tent in Sussex or staying over in a Vernon home to find out if the black bear is a problem.

The Governor certainly doesn’t have black bears near his home. No, he relies on his staff and the DEP and he doesn’t need a group of “yes” men afraid to ‘tell-it-like-it-is”; they are not doing their jobs. 

New Jersey DEP and Governors office are allowing animal-right and anti-hunting groups to inundate them with false and misleading information under the pressure of political demise should they allow a black bear hunt.

Listen and read carefully; (27) other states with large black bear populations, many with a lot less black bears than N.J., use hunting as the most effective, proven method of black bear population control. There is no way that (27) states with successful track records are wrong and N.J. is right. 

Each day, each month, each year this black bear population is allowed to grow the danger increases why? Just how does anyone with a brain and a little common-sense, really expect New Jersey to allow the black bear population to grow to whatever number? It cannot, they must be reduced and maintained at a safe level and hunting is the only proven method.

Here comes the redundancy: Twenty-seven other states have successfully accomplished this through hunting and they still maintain a substantial black bear population that can thrive in their own environment. 

The Retired, Black Bear Groupie stated, “With everything going on in the world today, black bears are certainly the least of our problems”; REALLY?, I see them as an unnecessary addition to our problems and unlike the economy or war, a problem easily solved with a quick and proven remedy.

Mike D. 

 

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Black Bears and Frogs

June 16, 2009 by njhunt

A warm spring evening in rural New Jersey and night gently pushes bulllfrogout 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. Bear in Kinnelon- Fayon Lakes

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.

Mike D

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New Jersey Black Bear Overpopulation Requires Urgent Attention

April 24, 2009 by njhunt

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

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