Black 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.
Funny, I always thought that a bear attack on a human was cause for immediate notification of the people to ensure their safety. Oh right, they still haven’t proven this to be an attack! WHAT???
Hi Toni, thank you for the reply. Yes this is a very strange issue. It would appear that there is some question on the validity of the attack.
Yet one would think by this time that they must have found some proof one way or the other, but instead we hear nothing.
However, once the attack was known there was still some obligation to notify the public immediately even if it were noted that there were questions yet to be answered.
For me, unless it turns out that this guy slipped on his shoe lace and was embarrassed into creating a “three little bears” scenario lie then there was no reason to hold up public notification or let us find out from a Middletown, N.Y. newspaper a week later.
Toni, this has now become so political that those in power are afraid to face the truth; we have too many black bears; no other state with large black bear populations (27 and many with even less black bears than N.J) HAVE ALLOWED POLITICS TO OVERRULE PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS.
These states rightly consider “human safety” over all other causes and successfully use hunting for wildlife management.
Mike D
Check out this website. NJDEP itself says “science” shows that fertility controls don’t work. There are 6 conclusions – below is the 6th: Yet Gov. Corzine says he’s still waiting for the “science” to show that fertility control works or not. His own department shows that it doesn’t!
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/bear/index.htm
6) Fertility control is very unlikely to be a feasible means of managing black bear populations in
New Jersey.
Hi S.Barrett and thank you for your input. Yes it is extremely frustrating to see politics and inexperienced politicians, with voting agendas, overriding professional biologists and “real-science”.
Yet even more frustrating is the DEP just going with the political flow and drift of the Governor. Maybe if the DEP had the grit to stand up for what they should know is right they would force the Governor to listen beyond his own ears.
Here again, is my redundant plain and simple logic; (27) states have large enough black bear populations to require population control (many of these states have much less black bear problems and black bears than does NJ) (26) of these states yield to the F&W professionals in allowing them to “manage” the black bear population to a safe human to black bear ratio. Governors of these (26) states, both Democratic and Republican refuse to be baited into allowing politics to enter the equation.
Plain and simple logic also tells anyone with a little common-sense that “no” wild creature can be allowed to grow to whatever population numbers they can reach and expand beyond their areas natural carrying capacity.
So as we now are faced with serious threats and actual attacks on humans, as the black bear expands through all counties in NJ, the current administration just continues to play politics and puts the citizens of NJ in danger.
Everyone you know must write the Governor and DEP, because the animal-right/anti-hunting groups, as small as they are in numbers, as compared to the millions of citizens, hunters and non-hunters that support hunting as the only proven and effective method of controlling wildlife populations, just are better organizied and flood the politicians with misleading information.
Please tell your friends and keep looking at my Blog as I update it often.
Mike D.
http://www.njherald.com/story/news/18LLAMA-V-BEAR mike thought you might enjoy this story in the n.j. herald about a bear that killed a llama in frankford nj. cheers–glenn
Hi Glenn, thank you for the comments. Bears are all over the towns you mentioned however, usually in people’s back yards. High Point State Park should be a good area, however I would be carefull not to put yourselves in a dangerous position or put undo stress on the bears. Would be great if you could just get photo’s of them moving about in their own environment without disturbing them either.
Mike D
Reply is listed under comments
Well here we have several problems with this mans story that does not add up.. First of all the man lives on a street that is visited a couple of time a day by our Black Bear population so you know their always in the area alond the wood line, to the fact a mother and cubs were in the general area earlier in the day foraging for food as was reported by area neighbors.
The attack supposidly takes place on a Fri night at 10:30 PM while loading his truck the owner states in the official report he put his sndwich on the ground not in the trunk with his overnight bags this according to the actual report not the news papers. But yet never reports the attack untill Sat afternoon, what person does not report an attack right away. After an official police and wildlife investigation athorities conclude there was no evidence to esablish a bear attack and infact were leaning toward that he had been in a bar brawl and used the bear attack as a cover up to his wife.
The reason they came to that conclusion was at te time of the report Sat. afternoon the man had no bruising, no claw mark or scratches what so ever, no ripped shirt or cloths of any sort, nothing that would indicate a direct purposefull attack on a human by a bear.
If it would have happened it would have been the first of its kind in over 25 yrs of Sussex County history.
Furthure more who gets attacked by a bear for real in their own driveway then waits till the next afternoon to report it. No one in their right mind waits. Further more the wild life officials decided to place the trap and relocate the bear if there was one rather then put it down, just on the off chance an attack had happen, but that the bear would not be put down because if it had happened it was a direct result of the home owners actions, knowing the constant proximity of the local bears and time of night, and being the owner of the home, it was considered a deliberate act of tempting fate as it were.
Hi Nancy, thank you for reading and responding to my blog. In my blog I clearly state that no one knew for sure if this was an actual attack by a black bear. To date; no one still knows for sure.
Wildlife officials, due to the past pressure from the DEP under the former Commisioner Lisa Jackson, did not have the “freedom” to follow the catagory (1) rules for disposing of black bears and relocated many bears that were eligible to be put down.
There have been more attempts to “cover-up” black bear attacks and breakins in the past under Governor Corzines’ watch, but that will no longer happen under Governor Christi, so who really knows if this man were attacked or was a victim of politics?
As for your comments regarding this attack being the first in (25) years in Sussex, NOT CORRECT.
June 29,2001 Delaware Water Gap Park, black bear mauls boy
May 18, 2002 Delaware Water Gap Park, black bear attackes hiker
Sept.23, 2008 Sussex Golf Course, black bear attackes groundskeeper
A few years ago in Stillwater, an elderly person was attacked on the deck of her house.
Bottom-line, our state has an overpopulation of black bears and that is finally about to be brought under control this year through a new Governor that understands wildlife management has nothing to do with politics.
Governor Christi made it clear “prior” to being elected and he has no intentions of changing course now; he puts human safety ahead of everything else. Unlike past Governors, he is not going to wait for someone to be seriously mauled or killed before he listens to the F&G Council. Governor Christi is not going to look at “form letters and e-mails” from the same ole anti’s, he knows that there are millions of New Jersey citizens, both hunters and non-hunters supporting a black bear hunt. Millions cast their votes for him because of his overall plan to turn New Jersey around and for his concern for the safety of our citizens taking priority over emotional and misleading anti’s rhetoric. F&G Wildlife experts, biologists and science will rule, they will finally be trusted and left to carry out their job assignments, as they should. Add a new DEP Commissioner that is not a puppet on a string and we will finally address N.J. black bear “overpopulation” with a management plan that recognizes hunting a necessary part of the program.
Mike D
I think hunters are a disgrace to our society. The reason they are “over-populated” is because “we humans” are destroying their natural habitat. We need to learn to live with them not KILL them! I would love to hunt people since we are over poulated, I would start with the hunters!!!! Animals have just as much right to be here as we do!!
Hi Vanessa and thank you for reading and responding to my blog.
Most of all thank you for illustrating to the public the misguided people that are out there attempting to thwart the experts responsible for wildlife management.
Hunting is an essential, successful wildlife management tool. It has proven so in (26) other states with large enough black bear populations that pose a threat to human safety. Guess what? in those states the black bears continue to thrive with no prospect of become an endangered species.
Millions of the non-hunting public, have the common-sense to understand the need for hunting, the common-sense to put human life and human safety above all else.
Then we have this minority, like you that are so demented as to suggest the killing of people over that of a wild animal.
Sure, the same old “bull”; we humans are destroying their natural habitat. If you live in a house or apartment in N.J. you are just as much a part of occupying once “natural-habitat” as any other citizen or hunter. Are you planning to give up your dwelling and move somewhere else so the black bears can continue to expand?
Animals do have rights but not the right to overpopulate out of control and become a threat to human safety.
Vanessa, you need a reality check, we have men and women sacrificing their lives in wars to keep us safe at home and you want to shoot those very same humans they are dying to protect over a wild, out of control animal.
Shame on you.
Mike D
As a Vernon resident, I am hoping something is done BEFORE somebody is killed. Those who don’t consider this as an attack don’t live anywhere near bears. Half of the dumpsters here have garbage around them from bears looking for food. And as Vernon becomes more developed, there will be less room for the bears to find food in their natural habitat.
Ahmnodt, thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. This year more than any other year the citizens all throughout NJ understand just how serious and dangerous overpopulated black bears can become.
The anti-hunters/animal-rights groups are finished putting human safety on the back-burner and misleading the public. Corzine is out and with him goes the support the anti’s garnered through political pressure on an administration that put a handfull of votes ahead of the majority of the public concerned with human safety.
Now Ahmnodt Vernon does not stand alone as the black bear travels in (21) of our counties.
Let’s hope that Governor Christi stays the course on backing thisyears hunt.
Stay Safe
Mike D
I’m grateful for you because of this good written content. You definitely did make my day :
Your welcome Kim
Pingback: Bear Attacks Are Real | Bronco's View
Thank you for the response, yes looks like we will start again. There was a house thrashed in Kinnelon, another in Stockholm with a pet killed, then this attack on children in Stokes.
Now I am just waiting for the anti’s to come out with the non-sense that this shows hunting does not work.
Well, the state proved that the black bear population was well over 3500, and last year they culled, through hunting, 591. We are on the way but years from reducing the black bear population to a safe co-existing number.
The season needs to begin in mid-October/November as it is opening too late when coinciding with the deer season.
Just imagine, what this year would be like if not for the hunt last year?
Mike D
Once again u guys dont get all the facts. Read all the details from stokes incident. No injuries from the bear at all. It was just nosing around. Read the star ledger update. Now put your guns away.
Glenn, thank you for the response. The news media broke this story (3) days ago, not me. It took (3) days to investigate and determine that they “believe” the scrapes and marks were not related to the bear.
If true this is good news as the purpose of this blog is not to hope for “I told you so” stories where some human is injured to prove a point.
Fact is the black bear population was and is out of control and the majority of New Jersey citizens know that; point already made.
A black bear just “nosing around” is none-the-less a dangerous bear. This is why it was listed as a catagory (1) black bear,subject to being euthanized.
The media also reported that the bear was shot and not recovered and a search was still underway.
Last year hunters culled (591) N.J. black bears from an estimated population of 3500 +. The estimates were part of research from professionals in N.J. and PA. Considering the birth rate each year this culling was not a significant number. The reason being that the bear season opened in conjuction with the firearms deer season, December 6 th. This is too late as the majority of bears were finished roaming and searching for food and dening up for the winter.
So we overcame politics, the anti’s and allowed wildlife management professionals to get the bear season going again; but now we need to adjust the bear season dates to open a few weeks earlier.
In the meantime, the black bear is once again posing a threat to humans, domestic pets and livestock.
In order to avoid becoming an “I told you so” story, as others may view it, try to take the following precautions:
Secure your garbage, either bear resistant garbage pails, storing in a secure garage, putting it out just before scheduled pick-up time.
Keep your garage doors closed whenever possible.
Keep food away from porches or kitchen locations, windows where a bear may pick-up the scent and make a move.
Keep an eye on your pets, do not let them roam free and even in a fenced in backyard keep them in sight.
Buy sound horns such as used in boats and keep them in easy to reach locations, treat sound horns like a weapon as a blast in someone’s ear will cause severe damage, educate everyone on proper use.
Buy bear spray and keep it in a place where you can easily reach it, you can keep it in the house and an outside location.
Again, treat bear spray like any weapon, make sure it is secured at all times, not left in reach of small children, not tested, as backspray from wind may cause harm to others, not left in hot temperature where it can explode, use only as a last resort.
You can purchase a joggers spray that goes on the wrist while working in the yard, or in fact jogging or hiking.
When working around your house, especially toward the evening, be aware at all times as bears begin to move about and have no fear of entering a yard occupied by people. Bears are stealth and quiet can appear without warning.
DO NOT leave children, especially young children, unattended, out of sight even in your own backyards. Some say it is a parent’s responsibility and it is but even the best parents feel comfortable when children are in a fenced in, private backyard right off of their decks or near doors and windows where they can be left briefly, while going to the bathroom or changing laundry, etc. The danger posed by over-populated black bears restricts these past liberties. STAY ALERT.
Educate yourself and your children on how to react should they encounter a black bear, face the bear while backing slowly away to a secure location, make yourself as big as possible, make as much noise as possible, rattle toys, pots, anything available. Do not turn and run as a black bear will easily catch you and running away makes you appear as weak prey.
If attacked fight the bear off with every move you have, if possible, but unlikely, kick the bear between the legs, like a human the male jewels will hurt, think like a fighter, look to avoid swipes, punch at the nose or eyes and don’t even think about engaging the bear in any position where it can get hold of you. Not an easy task but maybe the only chance you will have.
So this is how we must live in an overpopulated black bear environment, but this is not strictly the fault of the black bear. Development has taken away a good percent of their natural habitat. People that fail to recognize the importance of containing garbage attract the over-populated bears to residential areas and developments. Anti-hunting/animal-right groups and politics have caused a delay in the inevitable hunts that were required to contain the black bear population.
We need to get together on all of this, look for my next article covering all of this information within the next two weeks.
Mike D
SPORT HUNTING? what is THAT supposed to be??? i would rather see people like you being hunted and killed anyday. you dead souls.
Hi Phil, thanks for the response and for showing just what a few of the anti-hunting people are. SICK PUPPIES.
Fortunately, for the majority of humans that oppose hunting they have a brain to go along with their heart.
Mike D
Common knowledge: these sick hunters go into the dens and kill cubs and mothers. The essence of humanity..mother and child….and you see no wrong in this sickness? If you and your loser hunter friends and pig politicians would spend a nickel, bears could be saved and respected for the beautiful animals that they are. You are greedy and ignorant. gee whiz…what did you spend on guns and on camo
pajamas this year you moron?
Wow, Phil thanks again you are on a roll, common knowledge, GOOD hunters do not go into dens; those that MAY are basically like you, SICK.
Mike D
People steal food, kill for money and trash everything in areas like Newark. Maybe you should go there and gun down that population.
Phil, now you are really over the edge, this site is monitored by law enforcement and I hope they track you down and put you away. Newark, has good people as do all towns and there are bad people, like all towns, cities, states, etc.
You have a real problem and you need help to even suggest harming humans and gunning down people, this is a terrorist threat PHIL, I will not publish any more of your responses, do not waste your time as they will be deleted.
By the way we have received several responses from anti-hunting/animal-right groups expressing disgust over your remarks.
This is not about black bears for you it is about distain for humans.
Mike D