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) 
during 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
This is crazy! I am an animal lover and I am all for protecting animals, but I have heard too many stories about bears getting too close to humans, their houses and now schools! We have to keep the people safe and a bear hunt is just the thing to do that!
Hi Toni, thank you for the reply. Somehow and this may be hard to believe there is animal lover in all of us, including hunters.
Sure there are some hunters that may give hunting a bad rap, just as there are citizens, like a Bernie Madoff, that give all money managers a bad rap.
But hunting is part of our heritage, it is legal and for those against it, it is in fact a necessary means of wildlife management control.
Simply put, we can never just allow all of the worlds wild animals to multiply without control to whatever number they may reach.
We couldn’t allow domestic animals to do so either but domesticated animals can be controlled through neutering BUT this will never succeed with wild animals.
As long as we can slaughter domestic livestock for food, we can accept hunting of wild animals for the same reasons.
But hunter or not, anti-hunter or not, we cannot allow a wild black bear to populate to the dangerous levels they have aleady reached in NJ.
NJ, cannot cast aside the success of (27) other states that have used hunting as the primiary method of controlling wildlife,including the black bear.
So yes, we need a hunt immediately and annually and everyone can be assured that the N.J. black bear will never be hunted to extinction.
Mike D
The police dept. didn’t “have” to shoot the bears who were very young. They would have left on their own.
They wouldn’t have hurt anyone. It was a disgrace.
The man who had his sandwich attacked has many holes in the story he presented.
Most of these bear events should have been non-eventful.
How many residents don’t bother securing their garbage
every week. I have one neighbor who leaves it on the ground spilled over week after week. (Get a bear can already then guess what? No bear.).
A Vernon resident
Hi Jan and thank you for the response. Unfortunately, yes the Police do have to shoot Catagory 1 bears, that is the law.
Garbage control will not solve overpopulation.
The animal-right/anti-hunters want everything their way while they cast “human-safety” aside.
First they protested hunts and took advantage of a weak N.J. government that allowed politics to enter the arena of wildlife management.
Now they are attacking the police and the law that determines a Catagoty 1 black bear must be shot once it becomes a threat to human safety.
All of this time, (4) years since the last hunt the black bear population has reached the “red-zone” of human safety.
Guess what? the hunt will take place and that will solve three issues; first it will reduce the black bear population to a level that will allow for “safe” coexistence with humans, second it will “adversely-condition” black bears to fear human contact, thirdly, it will allow the Police to go back to what they were trained, hired and paid for; protecting citizens, saving human life, not chasing down wild, overpopulated black bears.
If the politicians had left this alone, starting with Governor Whitman, the hunts would have taken place annualy and our black bear problems would have been drastically reduced. The remaining black bear population would be back in the forests where they would now have room and this would be a non-issue.
Keep in mind here, that a good percentage of the people against the N.J. black bear hunt are leftover anti’s of (27) other states where their efforts to stop black bear hunting have failed.
Sure there are sincere people that have feelings for the black bear, who could look at a cub wihout feeling some compassion. But this is life and wild anmals cannot simply be left to populate to whatever number they reach. Comeon Jan, where are they going to live it is just plain commonsense.
In fact, look at the cows and calves, pigs, chickens, etc they are cute too yet they are slaughtered and eaten as a main course of the worlds people.
I can understand people that cannot kill to eat or somehow put wild animals in some different catagory from a “good-looking” cow that is slaughtered and eaten, just with somebody else doing the killing.
Huntng is legal, millions of “non-hunting” New Jersey citizens support hunting as part of wildlife management and we have to move on from here.
If this failure to read the warning signs continues, the N.J. black bears are going to continue becoming more brazen and dangerous and that may lead to more severe consequences for them than controlled hunts.
Mike D
as a life long hunter and sussex county resident i have witnessed first hand the surge in the bear population.bear cans are not an answer i have several and they are new recently had a very large male bear pounce on and pop the trash can to my disbelief as according to the bear group they are bear proof . another one had the lid chewed through in one evening and is now no longer usable these cans are very very expensive i gave them the chance and i still have bears come through as nj deer season has once again upon us i have gone out in the woods 7 times all total i have seen one red fox several deer and 16 different bear who did not care that i was there except for 1 . i had a male bear sit approximately 25 yards from my tree and just “woof” at me a while and he did not leave until two other bears came in and he ran them off i watched this bear an hour and fifteen minutes yelled …. nothing he did not care . a hunt is the only way to instill the fear of humans back in nj bears and though they are nice to see in the wild i do not enjoy a mexican standoff so to speak .
Hi Ambrose and thank you for taking the time to read the Blog, you might look for the latest OPED put out today.
You bring up very important points as it is quite clear now that although garbage control is important it does nothing for black bear population control. Garbage is important however, when the bear’s natural carrying capacity is met, as it is now in N.J. this contributes to their roaming for food and nothing from “bear-resistent garbage cans to garage doors” will stop them.
Add to that there “no-fear” of humans and we have this dangerous situation of today.
A hunt accomblishes two goals, reducing and maintaining the black bear population and “adverse-conditioning” to the max as the black bears learn to associate humans with real danger to them.
Let’s hope we reach those opposed before a tragedy occurs.
Mike D
N.J.S.A. 23:2A-14 feeding of bears $1,000 fine …and Vernon Township ordinance #03-28 leaving out garbage or uncovered garbage… fine of $100 per day. Yet only two fines have been issued. Why? because the yahoo cops want a hunt because most of them are hunters. The majority of the residents do not want a hunt and have lived for many years peacefully with the bears. For example, there is one man in Lake Wanda section of Vernon who leaves his garage door open with food inside.. sits outside with his dog and when the bear(s) come near his garage seeking the food he has accessible, the dog chases the bear up a tree. The bear did not enter the house, the bear did do any damage to him, his dog or his house..THERE ARE FIVE WITNESSES WITH VIDEO TO THIS SCENE..WHICH APPARENTLY HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE.This homeowner whose name I will not mention here, also has a criminal record so his credibility is questionable. The bear was in the tree for hours, diong nothing but eating nuts and it was not tagged, never been in any trouble prior, yet it was shot from the tree by the macho DEP called by the macho cops without questiioning the neighbors on who saw what. Was the homeowner issued a summons? No not according to the OPRA request. So perhaps if the cops do their jobs, enforce the laws and issue tickets and homeowners have to pay the fines, and pay for the bullets used, the overtime, the gas the removal of the carcas, etc. The calls will stop.
In addition, I personally took 50 pictures of uncovered garbage in Vernon, one school had a dumpster that I could lift with my pinky..yet they are not fined. Please if you are going to spew nonsense please get your facts straight. Start fining the ignorant ones and you will see less complaints.
Hi Maryilynn, thank you for taking the time to respond to the OPED and more importantly thank you for helping to illustrate what type of citizens are involved with the black bear issue and attempting to stop the F&G professional biologists from doing their job by including hunting in wildlife management.
What kind of citizens are you? Well I am sure in some of your hearts you believe in your goal to prevent a bear hunt because you feel for the bears and that is respected, but mostly I believe many of you have no concern for human safety, no respect for the laws and are plain anti-hunters.
As for “spewing nonsense” , re-read your own and getting facts straight; the facts I place in my OPEDS are accurate and can all be verified.
Your arguments concerning garbage are old and tired, but the growth of the black bear population is new and fresh.
You talk about criminal records of others, “QUESTIONABLE CREDITABILITY” when several of the people involved with your black bear movement have been recorded breaking the law, arrested, jailed, fined and some are still pending trials.
You speak of pictures and photo’s; well then go to youtube and take a look at the video of a bear lover helping a black bear get onto her hammock so she can swing the bear.
There was another video on July 2009 of a person training wild black bears to get into a hammock and that now appears to have been removed.
Do you think that encourging a wild animal to socialize with humans is any better than a person leaving out garbage? Carefull now because this person is one of you.
Now you lower yourself to the “pits” when you drag in the Vernon police, or any police for that matter, who have a specific law to follow involving Catagory 1 black bears and that is they must be shot.
Macho DEP and Macho cops? The police are supposed to be on the job to prevent crime, reduce traffic accidents and to protect humans. Now because people like you continue to talk “nonsense” and are helping to create a delay to the “inevitable” black bear hunt, the Police are out chasing black bears instead. Then when the Police do what they are supposed to do, “by-law”; take out Catagory 1 bears, you cry babies, about (3) dozen by the way which is far from “the majority”, gather in Vernon with your silly little signs and stuffed bears around your necks critizing of all people the very Police that protect us.
Then to add to your foolish cause, you want the police to cruise the streets attempting to identify faulty garbage cans and open dumpsters? Sure that is what we need abandon “human-safety” and ticket citizens because we have too many black bears in N.J. while some drunken driver goes down 515 or route 94, or some criminal breaks into a house and now that list of potential criminals includes? you guessed it; BLACK BEARS.
Well, I really hope that should you need the police for a “real-human-emergency” they are not off somewhere chasing after a black bear.
Look, this is a very simple problem to solve; we need a hunt and no Marilynn, the majority are not against the hunt, they are for it and this includes more “non-hunters” than hunters. That is unless you consider a “handfull” of people with nothing better to do on the weekend but hold signs, walk around with stuffed bears on their shoulders filling up on dunkin donuts for a couple of hours; a majority.
We have (27) count them (27) other states with large black bear populations and they “all”, “successfully” use hunting as the primiary method of “wildlife population control”.
New Jersey is simply the last battleground for the animal-right/anti-hunting movement, they lost in (27) other states.
But rest assured politics or not the black bears have now “clearly” over-populated beyond a safe level of co-existence with humans and even the current Governor has to be quite aware of the political consequences of allowing this problem to continue without a hunt.
Like hunting or not, you should be thankfull for it’s existence.
But don’t be to alarmed because in (27) other states, that have held black bear hunting seasons for decades, the black bears are “healthy” and actually enjoying their life far away from the “human-eye”. Maybe once in awhile some loner may drift into a populated area, but that can be expected and it certainly does not happen with the frequency of that in N.J.
Oh; they may not have a “hammock” to swing on or some left over “burger king, fat and cholesterol burgers” to dine on and of course they miss getting all “primped-up” for the photo ops but they do enjoy being left alone and taking their chances in the forests wherin the results of hunting as part of wildlife management allows for the room they need to be just that; wild.
Mike D.
Hi Mike,
Bruno was on my lawn this morning. I was not quick enough to catch a picture of him as he smashed my neighbors “barricaded” door ( a 10 foot tall, 8 inch thick wooded door) for his daily breakfast.
We need the bear hunt more than ever! I was visiting my parents in PA last week. Between, West Milford and Upper Greenwood Lake, I saw 3 bears in less than 30 minutes. How many bears in PA is a week? 0!
Bring back the bear hunt!
Gillian
Hi Gillian, thank you for the response. Of course, the anti’s spin on this would read something like;
The black bear thought the door was jammed and was “just” trying to open it.
Yes, we need bear hunting to be put in place in order to bring the population under control and to keep it that way. Hunting is legal and those that pursue it have the right to do so. But at this time we have millions of “non-hunters” that also recognize and support hunting as a successful means of wildlife population control. In the case of the “OVERPOPULATED” N.J. black bear this means safe guarding citizens from “proven” danger.
We have citizens that put “human-welfare” before “animal-rights” and all of us certainly know that after all of this attention since 2000 through 2009 that no one is going to allow “overhunting” of black bears.
We know that in (27) other states the anti’s have not succeeded in making this such a political issue. Therefore, the expert, professional F&G Wildlife Biologists were not overruled by non-experienced “vote-threatened” politicians.
In addition, special interest groups that somehow believe animal rights include giving wild animals common -grounds to human rights found “deaf-ears”.
Yes Gillian, we need the hunt.
Mike D
This just amazes me. Im 16 and all for the bear hunt, the club im in has a cabin in Montague with 15 acres or so and from what im told by the neighbors and other members there is about a 600-700 pounder back there. i am yet to see one in the wild and after reading up more and more on them, we need that hunt. im still nervous about seeing one and have this thing it would climb up the tree on me. along with that, we got more property 88 acres down the road where im also told its loaded. the one day i went i saw about 15 different piles, along with huge claw marks and hair in it about 40 yrds from his stand, (i almost ran back to the truck)but i am told here you see about 3 bears everytime here. id feel way more safer if we could hunt them
Hi Zach and thank you for taking the time to read and respond to the OPED. Although, based on the dangers of overpopulated New Jersey black bears I often concentrate on safety, hunting is a “legal” heritage of are ancestor’s.
Unfortunately, the animal-right/anti-hunting groups would never understand that hunting in itself is much more than pulling the trigger or releasing an arrow to cull wild game. They can never know the special times shared by family and friends that venture into the wild, spend the entire day and end with special memories and no “catch”.
I am sure when this black bear hunt is approved and you decide to participate that an adult will accompany you. By hunting with an adult that has experience you will learn to overcome any fear and be prepared to properly set up, hunt and cull a black bear, SAFELY.
In spite of what the anti’s say, black bear is excellent and healthy food, especially bear stew. At the same time you will be contributing to the wildlife management that is required in order to maintain the correct balance of wild animals to the human population.
New Jersey is a difficult state because outside of the Northern Areas like Montague, people live in cities and are easily swayed by the lies of the animal-right/anti-hunting groups. Many of these people are good hearted and being taken advantage of through downright lies and misleading information by these special interest groups. Also, right in bear country, there are anti’s that do not respect the freedom of humans to participate in the legal right to hunt. Yet many or I should say the majority of these same people will go to the supermarkets to purchase meat that is put on the shelves by slaughter houses and that is OK with them.
Zach, just remember this very clear and true fact; (27) states with large black bear populations successfully use hunting as the primiary method of maintaining the proper black bear to human, safe co-existing ratio. Only New Jersey has become tangled in a web of politics that has prevented us from joining these other states and reducing the danger to humans.
Just as important, is maintaining a black bear population that allows the bears to go back, deep into the forests, back to the seclusion they prefer. Hunting is not as cruel as having overpopulated black bears being photographed and roaming through our streets like a big “zoo” animal. In the end if hunting is not allowed the overpopulation will lead to more dangerous human encounters and as they continue to break into homes, garages, kill pets, livestock and attack humans, more and more citizens will reach the point where they will call for far more than hunting to stop the problem.
Lastly, if this continues in N.J. the right to hunt and what to hunt will be controlled by these anti groups and that is wrong.
For those that do not like hunting, wish to have others cull their food they have a choice, go to the supermarket, but taking away a legal right; NOT.
Well, I hope you enjoy the upcoming season, keep reading and/or looking at the hunting stations on TV, talk to the adults you know and respect, learn all you can, be carefull in the woods for yourself, your friends and family and for the right to hunt. We need to keep hunting safe and N.J. has one of the best safety records in the country.
More importantly, treasure every special moment you spend out there, you are young but time goes so fast, my Father has passed on he grew up in PA and initially taught me how to hunt, I grew up in Paterson, N.J. and without a Father that showed me the outdoors and small game hunting I may never have known. I had a brother that has passed on but he took over and taught me everything I know about deer hunting.
But what they both gave me was a love of the outdoors, respect for the animals we cull, the ability to hunt safely, which meant, if in doubt about anything to do with safely culling an animal, let it go, to come home “EMPTY-HANDED” but fully content in having spent an entire day with nature. No other outdoor activity can compare to sitting in a tree stand or on the ground, from dawn to dusk where you notice, up close, the daily activities of every critter deep in locations where other people may never venture.
Above all we can make memories; each season I spend in the forests is revisiting those good memories again and making new ones at the same time.
Good Luck, good memories and stay safe.
Mike D
What are the odds of a bear hunt for 2009? What is being done to get one for this year or in 2010?
Hi Mike, thhank you for the response. On August 13th this year State Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblywoman Alison Littel McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano publicly asked Governor Corzine to stop playing politics with the public’s safety and let wildlife experts decide the best method for handling the black bear overpopulation problem.
Mike, this is now at the most dangerous level with children being chased, a man knocked down and Catagory (1) bears being shot as required by law only to have the Bear Group organizing a rally accusing the Vernon police of being blood thirsty and hunters just looking to kill bears.
They state that a man with a criminal record is responsible for luring bears into his garage so they can then be listed as Catagory 1 and shot, while at the same time their own group members have been arrested, convicted of violations and still pending trials all for “criminal” acts.
We need to stand behind those above and contact the Governor’s office. This is difficult as most of the citizens that support the hunt and that majority actually being “non-hunters” simply do not have the time or organization to make as much “noise” as the anti’s. These animal-right/anti-hunting groups have scripted e-mails and on demand send them out to their members to attach their names and send off to the politicians that hang on to the “vote-pleasing” attitude of keeping this in the political arena rather than allowing the DF&W to handle as is done successfully in (27) other states.
These groups are willing to keep this up until someone is seriously mauled and/or killed by a black bear. Even at that they will find reasons to blame it on the victim as they have always done in the past.
The majority of these people live on a “one-way-street” where they could care less about human safety. Many of these anti’s are not even from New Jersey nor live in or around areas where black bears present the most danger. Oh! they have a handfull of recruits that live there and they use them to the fullest by creating the illusion that they represent the majority, NOT.
This is no longer rocket science, it is plain and simple common-sense; there is no way that any state can allow a wild animal, especially one at the top of the food chain, to multiply to whatever number they can reach.
Garbage control? sure let’s keep doing it but that will not stop a male from finding a female and mating and adding 3-5 cubs to the population.
Will we get a hunt this year? This is an election year, November and I doubt if Governor Corzine will risk any votes as he is struggling to keep his office against a very aggressive Chris Christie.
But don’t give up because one real serious black bear attack on a human, especially a child and the anti’s will vanish into the woodwork and leave Corzine holding an empty bag of votes, I believe that should a black bear attack happen, Corzine is out as the state will then face multi-million dollar lawsuits and have to live with the damage to a human and remember; they were all given very clear warnings and will have “no-excuses” for interfering with the professional biologists or the actions of (27) other states that have used hunting for decades to gain better control over population expansion.
Mike D
sorry hunters but, once again, your facts are not correct. First of all let me address the “survey” done by the College. I wrote to the person who managed the survey and asked for back up and never received it. So… can I safely assume those numbers are “made up” as most of your numbers. With regard to the sandwich incident, I believe it is now known that it was not true. And please let’s address the “alleged” break-ins of the McKinnon house “three alleged times”. Read the police reports and you will find that the residents of the house (three different people filed complaints)had stories that were questionable and not consistent. There was no damage to the garage that the bear(s) apparently broke….but there are pictures of the garage door open with uncovered garbage right outside. The Vernon police are not doing the job(s) they are paid to do…and are losing income to the township by not issuing tickets to those leaving garbage uncovered, leaving garage doors open and calling the police with fabricated stories….which is a crime, but nothing is done. That is the real problem.
The scare tactics are just that, scare tactics. Educated people are no longer buying the scare tactics because they realize there are must more dangers lurking out there, such as weapons.
Now let’s get to the woman who was the alleged “spokesperson: for the DEP and how “concerned” she was for her children….she has a record and served time for child endangerment…. and it wasn’t because she allowed her children to play with bears as it happened when she lived in a county that is not populated with bears.
And please let’s not forget the parents who drive drunk with their children in the car or the drunk drivers who kill innocent people.
The real danger is the two legged one, not the four legged one.
Hi Marilynn and thank you for taking the time to reply.
Let me start off with; you are not addressing “hunters” you are submitting comments to a blog that is visited and supported by numerours non-hunters, as well, concerned for the safety of their families; mothers, fathers, grandparents, etc.
“YOU”, an apparent expert on the survey process, wrote to a “person” who supposedly managed a survey and since “YOU” did not receive an answer, “YOU” are safely assuming that those numbers were “made-up” as are most of “WHO’S” numbers?
Well of course, any numbers that clearly demonstrate that we have a black bear problem in New Jersey are made up, because an expert like “YOU” says so.
Comon, Marilynn, there are substantiated numbers available for everyone from; neutral newspapers, the DEP, the F&G, the police departments, etc and numbers with the sources are included in my blogs as well, just go to the website and search the OPEDS. Of course, you will not believe them because well because “YOU” are “YOU”.
“YOU”, an obvious, “clairvoyant” managed to determine, without being there, that the “sandwich-black bear attack incident” just “didn’t happen”.
Well your mindmelt should have included the DEP because after they completed their investigation, they upgraded this to a Catagory 1, most dangerous black bear to human encounter.
“YOU” the person of obvious talents, now used your policing skills to interpret the police reports which “YOU” state were questionable and not consistent; WOW! I am so “not-impressed”.
“YOU” as “QUASI-Vernon-Police-Chief have determined that the Vernon Police are not doing their jobs, they are paid to do and are losing income to the town because; they are not riding up and down streets locating “uncoverd-garbage” and issuing tickets, staking out open garage doors to see if a black bear enters to be sure they do not respond to a fictitious call of black bear breakins.
Oh, by the way when they do respond to this Catagory 1 incident I suppose you want to be sure that they read the bear the “Miranda” act first and only shoot if the bear is carrying a weapon, that is a weapon beside their teeth, claws, strength and “wild-by-nature” attitude of deadly aggression when they feel like.
“YOU” an expert on fear, have concluded that “educated” people are no longer buying scare tactics because they realize there are more dangers lurking out there such as weapons.
Now let me see here; well I guess some of the latest bear incidents like;
A party in Vernon where a black bear approached within five (5) feet of a three (3) year old child where luckily an adult was nearby that chanced chasing the bear who ran “through” a three sided tent or;
In Montague, when two girls in their yard were chased back to their house where the bear began scrathing on the door after the girls made it inside;
Or the now officially recorded twenty-two (22%) percent increase in calls regarding black bear complaints, including (138) Catagory 1 calls as compared to 121 for the same time period in 2008, with 2008 by the way already higher than 2007.
Sure, Marilynn “JUST SCARE TACTICS” and the millions of people that “understand” and “believe” this, in particular the families that are victims of these black bear encounters, why of course they are “un-educated”, liars.
“YOU” mention real problems like “weapons” and by the way “educated” people call the problem “crime”, or as “YOU” state “please let’s not forget the drunk drivers who kill innocent people.
How “IRONIC” you “bad-mouth” the police yet you want them to “forget” about crime, people breaking the laws, and bad-drivers, not just drunk driving but speeders, distracted driving, etc; like the dozens that crash on (515) coming into and going through Vernon; so they can ride around giving tickets to people that do not cover their garbage all to no end because; garbage is no longer the problem, black bear overpopulation is the problem and that problem is successfully controlled through hunting in twenty-seven, (27) other states that have large enough black bear populations to create a danger to their citizens.
Oh! yes “YOU”, you and yours never seem to address factual proof that hunting works, that millions of non-hunters and politicians in those (27) other states and in New Jersey “support” hunting as a wildlife management tool.
Just what do you offer as a solution to “overpopulation”?
Sterilization? been there, done that it did not work, will not work as all studies, from non-hunting sources have demonstrated.
What would these (27) other states be facing today without hunting? Even the liberal state of California has allowed hunting through both Republician and Democratic administrations for decades, culling approximately (1700) black bears annually, through rifle, shotgun, and bow/arrow seasons.
“YOU” however, have provided one good piece of information in your reply, it is “YOU” and “YOURS” that mislead, lie and “PRETEND” and it will be selfish, people like you with no real eductional background in wildlife biology and more importantly no “comonsense” that will let this danger continue until some human is seriously mauled or killed by an overpopulated, “NO-FEAR” black bear.
Even then you will make up some excuse for the black bear, probably blame the victim and the Police again.
No Marylin, the majority of citizens are on to “YOU” and now even the Politicians realize that the breaking point is here, that continuing to keep this in the politicial arena is going to work against them, because as “Vote-happy” as they are they really do not want a human tradegy, nor the “negative” politicial fallout that will go along with it.
Game is almost over, this year or next, hopefully this year before we see that tradegy happen.
Now listen, don’t be too sad, saving a human life, reducing human fear, allowing people, children the right to enjoy the safety of their own tax-paid for backyards and public grounds is a good thing; allowing are Police departments to return to their nomal, “DANGEROUS” jobs of protecting us from “real-crime”, those humans that break the law, steal, rape, assualt, kill with knives, bats, automobiles and illegal guns is a good thing; why it is a wonderful “HUMAN-RIGHT”.
For you Police officers out there, thank you for all the good you do, for putting your life on the line everyday you go to work, for taking the time to respond to black bear issues that was really never a part of your hiring package, so that the majority of us can go to work, sit in our nice, comfy offices, run our business, build houses, cut grass, run a store, work in resturant; you know all of those “DANGEROUS” jobs. Then we can come home each night on safe roads, to a safe house where we can just kickback for the night.
Ignore, these people that think towns like Vernon, West Milford, Riverdale, Kinnelon, Butler, Bloomingdale are an easy place to be a police officer. Forgive them their stupidity for not realizing that when you leave the door to report to work, you may not be coming home because your job is preventing crime and criminals are not out there to make that easy nor safe.
By the way, that includes you “non-hunting” police officers as well.
Mike D
This is a really great blog and I have learned a lot from it. Now I recognize that the bear problem is due to people and not the bears. Since the NJDEP and the Gov. do not want to take measures to solve this problem, I have come up with a solution. Many bear lovers are saying that we are infringing on the bears’ habitat. Let’s fix that right now. Please, please, please, any bear lovers that are out there; I am looking for volunteers to move out of their homes and pay to tear their houses down so the bears will have more free space. If anyone out there is willing to do this please let me know. If not, then you are promoting a bear hunt and the heinous murder of many sweet, loving, not at all aggressive, innocent creatures. Remember, if you are unwilling to volunteer for this, the blood of many innocent bears will inherently be on your hands – no, even worse, it will be as if you were bathing in it!
Hi grassfox, thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my blog. Yes, you make a good point that counters the anti/animal-right “get-out-of-town” if you don’t like black bears logic.
In this election year, once again, politics will probably overrule “doing-the-right-thing”. Although, much to the “chagrin” of the anti’s the Governor and DEP did pass crossbow (as an additional option) and Sunday hunting on private and state game lands only; not recreation and park lands.(this does not include the black bear however) Now here for a change, the Governor (who by the way should not have even been involved in this issue) and DEP used good sense in that private and state gameland are not considered recreation for hikers, bikers,campers, etc.
We can look for a glimmer of hope in that the Governor may be finally seeing through the misleading lies of the anti-hunting/animal-rights groups.
Perhaps the best illustration of this is what happened in Vernon, New Jersey a few weeks ago. The Vernon police, following the policies of the Governor supported DEP, shot Catagory 1 , black bears. The anti’s, a handfull, held a protest in the center of Vernon, calling the Vernon police “blood-thirsty” hunters that were not doing their jobs.
So what the Governor may have learned from this is that when it comes to the anti’s it is their way or the highway. What this means is that once a human is seriously mauled or killed by a black bear, these anti’s can just disappear into the woodwork (that is after they attempt to blame the victim).
The Governor and DEP however, will be left holding the bag with absoultley no possible excuse. Especially with Senator’s and citizens from black bear problem areas on record telling the Governor to stop interefering with the F&G Wildlife Biologists that have issued the warnings. In addition, there are actual, SUBSTANTIATED aggressive and dangerous black bear encounters that continue to escalate, RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS ARE IN DANGER as will others throughout the state as “overpopulated black bears” begin to infiltrate all counties.
The Governor, stepping up to address the press, isn’t going to be able to say; Well, golly-gee I thought the Animal-right groups and the Bear Group were right on target with GARBAGE CONTROL, why we just needed another (10) years of testing.
No, because the press will suddenly turn on him and the question will be, Why Governor, if (27) other Governors, in (27) other states recognizied the problem and let their Professional F&G, Wildlife Biologists handle it for decades why then did you listen to a handfull of emotional, inexperienced tree-huggers?
By the way Governor, we understand you do not like hunting but no one was asking you to participate in the hunt.
It will be just another dark day in N.J. and sadly it could wind up being the darkest day for some innocent human and their family.
Now let me say, that in no way does Governor Corzine think a human life is in jeopardy, he really has no idea and absoulty no experience in this area. He has been caught in a political web started by Governor Whitman who at the last minute cancelled the 2000 hunt. It was this decision that paved the way for the anti-hunting/animal-right groups to keep this political football in play.
The DEP, was and still remains “scared” to step up to the plate and provide the Governor with real facts rather than taking the “YES-SIR” approach. Why? because the anti’s have convinced them that the departure of Bradley Campbell, former head of the DEP, was partly due to his decision to support and approve BLACK BEAR hunts in 2003 and 2005; “successful in reducing black bear complaints in 2004 and 2006, by the way each of the years preceding those hunts.”
Well, let us all just hope that the Governor will understand from his Senators in these areas,and the millions of non-hunting citizens that understand and support hunting as the only proven method of “wildlife-management-population-control”, that he can no longer allow this “debacle” to continue.
Mike D
We have had a bear coming to our yard now for a while. The problems are getting worse. 10 years ago. the bears were afraid of you and would run when you came outside. Now they stay, growl and stand thier ground. I have 5 children and 2 weeks aga the bear literally ripped the wood off my shed to get in the garbage. We do not wan to report it because then the bears are tagged and shot. We also have an ‘ASS” that feeds the bears on Birch street to lure the bears so they are shot. This jerk is creating a dangerous situation for the families around here and should spend some time in jail. I agree with the bear hunt. Otherwise if I have to I will enfore the shoot, shovel and shut up rule.
Hi Kelli, thank you for the information. I guess I am a little confused if you endorse the bear hunt then why not report the invading bears to the proper authorities so they can determine the danger and take appropriate action? I agree no one should feed them to get them shot however, you would not want to become involved in shooting them yourself because the laws for shooting non-game animals, out of season, and New Jersey gun laws and safety zones could end up putting you in jail with numerous fines to boot; this is not the way to go.
Stay calm Kelli follow the rules, call and report the incidents this helps the F&W experts to plan accordingly. Make known your support of the black bear hunt so our new Governor will follow through with his pledge to allow the F&W to hold the black bear hunts.
If we all play by the rules this black bear overpopulation issue will be handled properly though controlled hunts.
Mike D
a black bear has been seen at 2 of our 3 neighbors houses. no garbage is out. i have a young child and several dogs and cats. if that black bear comes anywhere near us, especially when letting the dogs out at night i have no choice but to kill it. i love animals and would not want to do this., but HUMAN life and MY PETS is more important to me than any wild animal. if on my deck or in my backyard and being at all aggressive i am not taking any chances. do i have to wait for my child or dog to be killed before something is done?
Hi Ken, thank you for taking the time to read and respond to the OPED in my blog.
Ken, unfortunately, this is what I meant when in several of my articles I noted that it is the anti-hunters/animal-right groups that are going to cause more problems for the black bear than hunting.
It is forcing good, honest citizens to be put in a place where they may actually be violating laws to protect their families.
This will happen if a black bear hunt is not put in place this year and hunts held annually to reduce and maintain a black bear population that allows for a safe coexistence with humans.
Just one serious or fatal attack on a human and the anti’s will run for cover leaving the government holding the bag. At that point there will be a lot more serious consequences for the black bear.
I respect those that do not like the thought of hunting but Ken, many of these non-hunting citizens totally understand the need. Millions of New Jersey citizens do not buy into the anti’s rhetoric about; less than 1% of New Jerseys’ citizens are hunters and they are only looking to kill trophy bears. Why? Well how many friends and families do these 100,000 + hunters know that support hunting? How many non-hunters support hunting? MILLIONS, which is why the anti’s fell short with attempting to portray Governor Christi as a threat to the future of “our black bears” and pushing for his defeat.
Ken, best thing you can do now is have everyone you know speak out in support of the black bear hunt. We do not need to be put in a situation of killing a bear because as right as it may be, the anti’s and coward politicians will try everything to make that person look like a criminal.
Ken, just read my most current blog, ” BLACK BEAR OVER-POPULATION in New Jersey 2010 WHO IS THE BLAME?, look at the lies and spin they use to blame the NJDF&W.
Well, good luck stay alert, you are right with your thoughts but keep it legal.
Mike D
I am opposed to the black bear hunt. The reason is due to actual personal experience, not my gut feelings.
First, last fall, My dog and I were walking a trail at NJ Wawayanda State Park when a large black bear walked out of the woods about 10 feet from us. Did the bear attack us or try to show territoriality/dominance? The answer is no. He walked around for a minute and then walked back in the woods. As I walked the path, I came across a few others who were walking and jogging. I mentioned that a large black bear was in the area and they said “okay, thank you” but did not seem concerned. They probably go there often and are used to seeing black bears.
Second, we recently had a black bear sighting in my area and we have coyotes as well. I am not concerned about this because I would never leave my dog or child unattended. Typically loud noise will scare a bear away. I am considering carrying bear spray with me at all times also.
A few questions for anyone who would like to answer:
1. Who are we to decide that there are “too many” black bears and there should be a hunt?
2. How much has the human population increased in the NJ counties of approved hunting areas in the last decade?
3. What percentage of those who are issued hunting permits really care about a sustainable black bear population in NJ (or anywhere)?
4. How many reported black bear attacks on humans and pets have been reported in the last decade in NJ? How many deaths?
Hi Mark, thank you for taking the time to read my blog. You need to logon to my website, njbearhunt.com here you will find answers to all of the questions you have asked. I just placed a new blog today.
But let me just answer a few questions right out:
OK, you think that you are this great parent who “NEVER” leaves their children unattended? Every parent, as I am myself can “ever” watch their children 100% of the time because it only takes just a few seconds for a tradegy to happen. Just one quick move back into the house or walking out to get the mail and a black bear can move in.
Pet owners can just let their dogs out in a fenced in backyard and go inside for a few moments and a black bear can attack; this in fact has happened.
More importantly Mark, is this the way we should live? Raising children or keeping pets is hard work, we worry about sickness, cars , kidnappers, sicko’s do we need to add a “wild-overpopulated” black bear to the equation?
The problem is “overpopulation” no wild animal can be left to multiply to whatever number they can reach, especially one that poses a
threat to humans.
The “we” that determines the number of black bears and the need for a hunt is not “us” but the professionals of the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife and their biologists. Actually, this decision was further supported by a population study conducted by a PA Unversity as a result of the anti’s insisting that the NJDF&G was inflating the numbers.
Since 2005 the NJDF&W has been handcuffed by politicians that put what they saw as a “vote-getting” agenda ahead of professional opinions.
This ended when Chris Christi announced prior to his election that “yes, there will be a black bear hunt if I am elected”
Now he is the Governor, does not have a “vote-agenda” because the anti’s already tried their best to stop him from getting into office.
What happened here is that the “millions” of our citizens, non-hunters that support hunting have sent a message of support for a bear hunt through his election.
Again, look at my recent blog that covers the development of land in these counties.
What percentage of those opposed to black bear hunting really care about the black bear? Many of these groups are strictly “anti-hunting” period hiding behind a black bear hunting platform.
For your question, many hunters are going out there just to help reduce the black bear population because it needs to be done and this is part of wildlife management.
Again, read my blogs, the attacks are up drastically, you want to know about deaths Mark? Hundreds of domestic pets and livestock have been killed by black bears and many were just for the kill and not for food as they were left to rot. So far humans have been lucky just attacks but each day it gets closer, are you one of those that need a death of a human before you recognize the dangers?
We have all of the warning signs in place and the black bear has the means to kill, God help us if we fail to take the warning and some innocent child has to be killed before we stop this crazy non-sense that humans can coexist with “overpopulated” black bears.
Comon, wake up here do you think we can walk outiside and just clap our hands, blow a little whistle or whatever and a black bear is always going to run away.
Just last month the police had to shoot (2) separate black bears that broke into houses in Morris County.
In Wayne a black bear killed a dog as well as in other places, how do you think these pet owners feel?
Mark, it’s over the hunt is on, it is needed and you better hope it helps or one day a black bear may decide you and your dog are in their way. Then we will see what you support.
Mike D.