Comments on: BLACK BEAR PROBLEMS IN NEW JERSEY 2009

By: njhunt

njhunt — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:37:14 +0000

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.

By: Mark N

Mark N — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:07:57 +0000

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?

By: njhunt

njhunt — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:20:30 +0000

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

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:06:21 +0000

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?

By: njhunt

njhunt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:34:14 +0000

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

By: Kelli

Kelli — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:36:35 +0000

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.

By: njhunt

njhunt — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:11:29 +0000

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

By: ambrose v.

ambrose v. — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:24:33 +0000

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 .

By: njhunt

njhunt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:10:32 +0000

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

By: grassfox

grassfox — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:39:09 +0000

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!