The long overdue and much needed black bear hunt is just weeks away but it has been a long journey.

Starting in 2000 then Governor Christi Whitman yielded to pressure from anti-hunting/animal-right groups, dissed the experts of the NJDF&W and cancelled the planned hunt for that year. This decision inflated the political football that would be passed about for years to:                           

Governor Mc Greevey, Acting Governor Codey, Governor Corzine and now Governor Christie.

Ironic, from a “Christi” stopping the hunt to a “Christie” supporting a hunt.

What is the difference? Governor Christie made it clear, prior to being elected, that he was not playing politics with issues concerning wildlife management. Knowing this the anti-hunting/animal right groups used all of their  resources to push for his  defeat by Governor Corzine, THEY FAILED. Governor Christie is neither anti, nor pro, black bear hunting; he is pro support of the trained experts and professionals of the NJDF&W/F&G. Governor Christie respects the emotions of those that love animals and do not support hunting however; the Governor understands that emotions are not part of the equation in wildlife management.

The Bear Group, organized back in the beginning of this journey, was able to reach the past Governors. The deception they used was publicized by many well-known anti-hunting newspapers. The Bear Group locates so-called experts, bringing some to N.J and the good ole anti-hunting newspapers give them front page coverage without checking credentials or facts.

Examples:

Steve Searles: Mammoth Lakes resort area, California. (25.2) square miles. The town had a black bear problem and since Searles was a then known trapper and hunter they called him in to assist with the problem. Now the problem centered on the town populated with people, houses, buildings, etc. In other words you weren’t shooting guns. So the obvious here was to contain garbage and to use rubber bullets to discourage black bear activity. Although I find Searles follow-up after shooting the rubber bullets; yelling “Bad Bear, Bad Bear”,  more amusing than effective.

Well this may work at times in one concentrated area of (25.2) miles but this is N.J. spread out over 7,504.8 square miles with a human population of over 8 million.

Yet the local papers gave Searles front page coverage with:

 “Expert Warns New Jersey Against Black Bear Hunt”.

Expert? California, holds successful black bear hunts every year culling over 1700 bears annually to control their own black bear  population, they don’t shoot rubber bullets or yell “Bad Bear”.

Dr Lynn Rogers: A dedicated researcher yet clever “entrepreneur” conducts interesting studies of black bears under ideal conditions in and around Ely, Minnesota. Rogers, offers courses for study of black bears through the Wildlife Research Institute.

At the WRI, “Rogers built both first and second story ledges where he places feed such as seeds, nuts and acorns, “only supplementary food to the bear’s diet”. As the bears found the food, Rogers hung around and persuaded them to eat out of a large can. From there he went on to closer encounters with the bears as shown on his videos.

Dr. Rogers research has absolutely nothing to do with black bear overpopulation in New Jersey. In addition, Dr. Rogers makes it quite clear that it took years for him to learn these techniques of communicating with black bears and discourages others from trying.

Yet, the animal-right/anti-hunters put their own spin on Dr. Rogers work giving the impression that his studies support non-hunting of N.J. black bears.   NOT

Edward Tavss, Rutgers University Professor of Chemistry has now become a “so-called” expert on New Jersey black bears and  self-imposed inspector of NJDF&W reports.

It doesn’t take a PHD in Chemistry to understand that any state with a large human population and land development has to limit the wildlife population to a number consistent with human safety.  This is why (27) states allow professional biologists of their F&W to determine the best methods of control. Professor of Chemistry required?, NO “Qualified F@W staff and  common-sense.

As for incorrect reporting as stated by Tavss; if anything the numbers are low; in my own circle of family and friends no one  bothers to call in when black bears cause a problem or pose a threat. Everyone in N.J. is just plain worn out from dealing.

Tavss is “out-of-his league” and grasping at straws to once again attempt a delay of the inevitable.

I have been involved with the N.J. black bear issue since 2000 and have written over 100 articles. My blog has been based on real and accurate facts. The main players are as follows:

• Hunters; that have the legal right to pursue wildlife for recreation and/or food. (many not interested in black bear hunting, the majority have abided by the decisions regarding black bear hunting over the years)
• Non-hunters supporting hunting as the most proven and effective method of wildlife management. (do not wish to hunt themselves but are not against hunting and understand the need)
• Anti-hunters that are against all hunting. (want to see hunting of any kind stopped)
• Radical Animal-right groups that place animal rights before human rights. (the worst of the groups as they have little regard for human rights and safety)
• Animal lovers who may even understand the need for hunting but never-the-less have real emotional issues with animals being hurt in any manner. They deserve respect.
• Politicians that are more concerned with votes than bears; that was until this year when they realizied the majority of N.J. residents support bear hunting and reduction of the black bear population. How do they know? Didn’t stop Chis Christi from being elected. 

Let me give you the (5) Best-of-the-Best radical-animal-right/anti-hunting responses to several of my blogs:

No. (1) Patti C; you are a horrifying, ignorant thing, you are a complete moron, if you want to kill something look in the mirror, you are an ugly example of thousands of people that have no soul, no brain. I hope you get mauled by a Mack truck and live. In all sincerity I would rather see hunters dead than animals any day.

Then one last jab; The birthing of a baby bear is more beautiful than a human.

No. (2) sbraley; There is no need for hunting or people like you. I just hope to God someone hunts you down and eats you.

No. (3) WGMP; To all bear hunters and others who feel the need to become a little macho by shooting something with a gun; do the world a big favor and start with yourselves.

No. (4) Concerned Citizen; in relation to hunters, most serial killers and murderers start out by killing and torturing animals.

No. (5) Michael C; If bears require more territory the state should purchase the property, demolish the house and expand the bear territory.

There you have it  perfect examples of some of the misguided, demented sicko’s against black bear hunting.

The Bear Group does however deserve some credit and it is not the garbage they print but the emphasis’ they place on garbage control.

Garbage containment is not just about black bear over-population. It has no effect on reducing the overpopulated black bears to a safe, co-existing number. However, it is just plain unhealthy to place garbage out on the street in plastic or paper bags. This not only attracts black bears but, raccoons, birds and domestic pets as well. Having garbage ripped apart, scattered all about the street is wrong.

We need to find a way for people to purchase the bear-resistant cans (I would call them animal resistant cans)  at a reasonable price. This is a bad economy and some families simply do not have an extra $50.00 to $100.00 to lay out.

In the meantime, it would be wise to place garbage out as close to pick-up time as possible and whenever possible purchase the bear resistant cans they may not work all of the time but are better than regular cans or bags.

A special thanks to the professional, experienced and dedicated members of the NJDF&W/F&G. After years of being questioned, criticized and accused of everything except performing the jobs they were trained for they have finally been vindicated by those in power and the majority of N.J. citizens. They always had it right just never had the support.

Received many requests for information on butchering and processing of black bear meat:

Contact; Tom the Butcher (Bear and Deer)

               Washington, New Jersey

               (908) 689-7440

These are experienced butchers who offer custom cuts, smoked meat and use fully vacuumed packing. If you need advise on the best cuts and the cooking process, including recipes, just ask.

You may also find other butchers in your own areas be sure they have experience in black bear processing.

We need to reduce the black bear population so a special thanks to all of the hunters that are willing to do the job. Although, you may be accused of a variety of wrongs, as some of the comments I have listed above indicate, without hunters we would be overrun with unhealthy wildlife. Hunting is a legal right in our free nation, it is part of our countries heritage. As citizens of this free nation we have a choice on what sports and recreation to pursue. We can select the  foods we want to eat and determine how we wish to obtain those foods.

Remember, this is 2010 and no one especially the NJDF&W/F&G  and  hunters would ever allow the black bear or any other wildlife to be hunted to extinction. Successful Wildlife Management must include hunting, that is the process.

Mike D

This law that they dug up is called “The (OPMA) Open Public Meetings Law Act”.

The Game Committee Chairman however, stated that all of the Council’s regular meetings are open, but subcommittee meetings, including the Game Council Committee, do not have to be.

So “check this out”:

The Bear Management Policy, under a 2007 state appeals court ruling, must first be publicly vetted much as an environmental regulation change. It will have been published in the April 19, 2010 New Jersey Register, which will start a (60) day public comment period, including a May 11, 2010 public hearing, to be held at 6:00 PM, at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. How much more open can it get?

Pay close attention here all of you New Jersey citizens that are, “overtaxed”, “out-of-work”, “retired trying to make ends meet”, “government workers” and “teachers” looking at job layoffs and pay reductions; The Bear Education & Resource Group, with a base of inexperienced, emotional, anti-hunters are just looking to “waste” what money you have already paid in taxes and spend what little money the state has, on bringing frivolous lawsuits to our courts against professional, experienced biologists and wildlife management experts.

OK, so now we have a public comment period, but why? Because of past politics; what good is “emotional” public comment we have heard it all. The anti-hunting/animal-right groups will be there preaching “GARBAGE”, yes we agree, but we need to reduce the black bear “over-population” then they will have more room in their own natural environment and less interest in our garbage.

Here I go again, (27) states have large black bear populations, (26) of these states respect and support their Fish & Wildlife Professionals, who all include hunting as the primary means of maintaining a black bear population that is consistent with human safety.

Through this culling process, which has taken place for decades, the black bear continues to thrive and remain a natural resource. In this day, in any of these states has the black bear faced extinction. Remember, it was way “back-in-the-day”, (1970) when the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife made the decision to close hunting as they saw the black bear population dwindling to a dangerous low level. Back in (1970) there were no cries from the public and quite frankly, very few people cared about black bears.

So remember this; it was the NJDF&W, not anti-hunters or animal-rights groups that stepped in to save the black bears; NJDF&W DID IT.

Now we need to trust The NJDF&W again, we need to step back and use some common sense; No wildlife, animal or mammal  can be simply left to propagate to “whatever” number they can reach, especially a carnivorous black bear that is at the top of the wildlife (and when they feel like it human) food chain.

It was just reported March 30th, in Vernon, New Jersey a man got a summons for killing a black bear in his backyard. All through my blog I have attempted to discourage anyone from doing this because the state has no options other than to fine you, unless you can clearly prove that the bear was a direct threat to you or family members. This remains to be seen in this case.  But now fear and frustration appears to be setting in and this demonstrates that people are getting worn out by the threat to their families, domestic pets and livestock  and with the invasion of property by the “overpopulated” black bear.

So once again, I encourage you to let your “voices” be heard in support of the black bear hunt and please refrain from any actions that can be construed as illegal. Our Governor knows the problem, the DEP understands and now supports the F&G Council bear management plan which includes hunting, help by supporting them.

Yesterday a black bear climbed over my daughters fenced in yard, crushed the fence on the way in then crushed the other side on the way out. My two grandchildren play in that yard with their friends and pet dog, luckily they were on the deck and not in the yard.

So is it “let the debates begin”? No, it is let the threats to human safety begin, lets put our children and families in harms way because some emotional, inexperienced, misleading people are still trying to convince the Governor and the public “those black bears can multiply to WHATEVER and they will not bother anyone” just control your garbage and the black bear will magically disappear into some unknown, uninhabited space. RIGHT!

The black bear hunt must take place this year; actually it should take place in September, not December but we need something to get started. The DEP passed the F&G black bear management plan; (45) extensive pages of scientific research just logon to:

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

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

Mike D

“The Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) is the blame, breaking the law by refusing to enforce the feeding ban.”

“The DFW refuses to enforce proper garbage storage laws and instead of ticketing property owners, they “allow” bears to be lured into human environments by the smell of garbage and there they kill them-using these incidents to justify bear hunting.

“DFW “solely” exists to manage sport hunting.

“Non-lethal bear management (ex: garbage control) is the only proven way to manage black bears.

At the bottom of this ad, of course, there is a form for making a donation of; $25.00 to $500.00.

 This is an outright SLANDER of DFW proven, professionals.

 The only reason The Bear Group and other anti-hunting/animal right groups have existed for these past years in N.J. are some past Governors and politicians that were afraid to take a chance with “voters” by supporting and endorsing the DFW and their professional, experienced members that have the responsibility of managing “wildlife” in New Jersey.

Now after an all out attack on Chris Christi to prevent him from defeating Governor Corzine, their “Stop the hunt Godfather”, they realize that “Governor Christi” is not going to play “politics” with “black bear overpopulation”, the Governor made it clear “prior” to being elected; BLACK BEAR HUNT? YES.

SO WHAT IS THE TRUTH?????

The Bear Group is nothing more than an inexperienced clan of misleading individuals that attempt to use emotions to play on the “emotions” of innocent animal-lovers, duping them out of money to sustain a meaningless cause.

For all of the past years, 2000 through 2010, The Bear Group has published nothing but ‘GARBAGE”, because garbage has absolutely nothing to do with OVERPOPULATION or managing “the increase in the N.J. black bear population”. Garbage containment is important for more than black bear issues, it can become a health issue when left for rats, birds, stray dogs, etc.; but to solve black bear overpopulation now and in the future; NOT 

As for the information the Bear Group  lays claim to, garbage containment , how to live with the black bear, adverse conditioning, this has been made available for years by the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife in handouts and on their website.

The half-page article the bear group placed in the Daily Record, Morris County on 3/14/10, is not only an outright lie, it is a “slanderous” attack on  the qualified, professional New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife and Fish & Game Council and on the DFW agencies throughout the U.S. in every state and the governing bodies they fall under.

These dedicated departments and individuals do not deserve to be portrayed as they were in this unfair article and one would certainly hope that we are much smarter than to buy into the bear group “bull.”

I have written numerous articles successfully rebuking the mind-twisting lies that the bear group has published over the years, but now they have gone over the line with this ill-considered add.

You can easily evaluate the NJDF&W and the scientific work of their professionals, just logon to:

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

If you “really” want to make a comparison between the inexperienced rambling of the Bear Group and the NJDF&W that they attempted to slander, then take the time to review the “Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy” recently submitted to the DEP. Forty-five (45) pages of real scientific information backed up with accurate facts and figures. Oh, for sure the bear group will attempt to have you dismiss this report by using their same old “garbage” spin.

This report however, will easily show that the DFW is the only reliable source that should be responsible for managing wildlife. These professionals cannot allow emotions to interfere with science. They have proof to back up there management policies and they have the ONLY proven track record of “savinbears”; they actually DID, how? we had a black bear population in the 1970’s that was in danger of extinction, it was the DFW professionals that saved them, brought them back.

Do we want to maintain a healthy black bear population?  

Do we want to prevent the black bear from threatening human life?

Do we want to stop the killing of domestic pets and livestock?

The only way this can be accomplished is to allow our professional DFW to manage wildlife again, manage the black bear population not manage attacks on their creditability. There responsibilities include the regulation and protection of fish and game for both recreational (hunting and fishing for sport and food) and commercial purposes. Recreational activities include; micro- management of wildlife populations, designating endangered species for protection, scientific research in areas like black bear issues, disease,  non-hunting recreational opportunities like sight seeing, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, management of state and  park lands including lakes, ponds and streams.

Just to set the record straight regarding salaries; The Fish and Game Council, that have the role of managing the states fish and wildlife resources, function as “UNPAID VOLUNTEERS” in coordination with the Commissioner and Director of DEP , NJDF&W.

A black bear hunt is now five (5) years overdue you cannot manage wildlife without experience but you can use “COMMON-SENSE” to understand that “any wildlife population cannot be left “uncontrolled” and to simply grow to whatever numbers they reach.

We do not have adequate forestland to support the current black bear population, we cannot make new forestland, and garbage control, important yes but garbage control is not population control and will not reduce black bear overpopulation, we need to implement hunting as an integral part of black bear population control and maintenance.

We should not overlook the right of sportsmen to pursue the legal right to hunt. We find hunters, in New Jersey coming under constant criticism; here again groups like the bear group and others have portrayed hunters as blood thirsty, trophy hunting slobs.

Hunting is one of the oldest activities of our planet, all through the different eras hunting has had a meaningful purpose. In the beginning it was all about food, later the raising of livestock placed hunting into an optional pastime where hunters could take to the woods to rekindle the heritage of hunting while still opting for the harvesting of their own food.

Today, hunting serves as a sport, family recreation, economic opportunities for many states, the only opportunity one has to harvest healthy, natural, non-hormone free food and! and! and! at the same time carry out the culling of wildlife to meet designated goals established by  the professional wildlife biologists  and proven members of the DF&W as deemed necessary for maintaining healthy game populations.

Remember, there is no successful sterilization method, birth control or any other option to hunting now or in our near future except; companies that come into a state or town and charge anywhere from $300.00 to $1000.00, per animal to reduce the population; is this not hunting? hunting where instead of picking up revenue from licensed hunters we pay for hunters to do the same work.

Therefore, until science produces a “pill” that can be taken to satisfy the daily nourishment requirements of meat, as chosen for food by 97% of our people, animals’ both wild and domestic, are here to meet our needs. How? well! the supermarket where someone does the work for us and it can be picked up already prepared to cook and eat or the hunt for those that wish to do it all on their own. In the USA we have the freedom to make the choice between the two.

Lastly; A message for Governor Christi and DEP Commissioner Bob Martin; on behalf of millions of non-hunting citizens that support hunting and the hunters that must carry out the task, for those of us that supported you because of your honesty and desire to take New Jersey to a new level in all areas, many far more important than a black bear hunt, we ask that you continue your support of our state DFW and that support should include allowing DFW to move ahead with black bear hunts and to put in place a fee for bear hunting, this is what every state in the U.S does.

The support should include preventing any emotional, inexperienced group to tie up our courts and waste taxpayers money with frivolous lawsuits aimed at delaying the process. These groups poke and hope at ways of keeping this an emotional issue and have done so under past Governors.

There should be some  statement made from your offices that clearly dismisses the ad that was published by the bear group on 3/14/10, because this is not only a slanderous attack on the DFW, but on your administration as well. It is a misleading lie that is aimed at innocent, emotional people. The DFW must be defended as you would do for any worker subjected to unfounded accusations.

A black bear hunt in inevitable, the black bears have proven on their own that they are too many , they show no fear of humans and will continue to be a threat to humans as they break into houses, garages and vehicles to damage and destroy property,  attack injure and kill domestic pets and livestock and continue to jeopardize human safety,  until one day they finally seriously injure or fatally attack a human. Scare tactic; no, just the writing on the wall..

Mike D 

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1)

Hunting May Increase, Not Decrease, Human-Bear Conflicts

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

The Truth

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

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

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

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

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

2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008

      4936  1915  3598  3391  3340  3290  3172  2135

        782    625   505    582    512     483   443     551

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

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

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

Common sense should also enlighten us to two facts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) New Jersey Hunters want a Trophy Hunt:

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

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

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

·        If possible, keep garbage in until garbage day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike D

Talk about harrassment.

A release printed in the New Jersey Herald, Newton, N.J., 9/28/08 Quotes Corzine as making the following statement:

Calling it a “real and present issue”, Governor Jon Corzine said Friday there probably won’t be a change in the state policy that prohibits a black bear hunt.

Corzine said the number of black bears was only a problem” If you want to call it that”. He then stood by Department of Environmental Protection’s position that better waste and garbage management will reduce the incidents of bear-human contact. 

“A lot of the problem is perception,” Corzine said. ‘There are less intrusions” and most complaints are simply sightings and confined to a small part of the state. 

The Herald noted however, that figures released last month showed the number of serious incidents involving bears were doubled this year over last year. In fact, all reports clearly indicate that this is the worst year of black bear problems including (56) house break-ins. 

For complete, proven factual information simply surf back through this website to learn just how serious the New Jersey black bear problem is. 

Governor Corzine’s remarks can be clearly compared to the anti-hunting/animal-rights evaluation of the bear problem. It was almost like having one of their representatives making the remarks. 

A “small” part of the state? Only a problem “if you want to call it that”? Now this is a good one, bears breaking into houses, ransacking kitchens’ for food, killing domestic pets and livestock, posing such a serious threat to humans that mothers are waiting at bus stops to see their children safely off to school, tax paid for backyards no longer safely available for recreation, bear monitors on school play grounds to spot roaming bears, bear safety drills so children can safely be shuffled back into the school when bears approach the area, people carrying bear spray or other means of protection when walking dogs, gardening or maintaining their properties.

It walks like a wild bear, it destroys like a wild bear, it threatens like a wild bear, it poses a real threat to human safety, like a wild bear, yes you can “call that a real problem”. 

If you will take a moment to read through the lines here you will quickly discover that Governor Corzine is “listening” to the anti’s and still ignoring the New Jersey Division Fish&Wildlife, state biologists and his (26) other fellow Governors, both Republican and Democrat, by the way that allow their professionals to determine the wildlife management policies of their states rather emotional liars. 

Here is the problem in a nutshell; Politicians’ count votes and the anti’s have them convinced that supporters of a hunt are the approximate 130,000 licensed sportsmen in N.J. They cite this as less than 1% of the over 8 million N.J. residents.

Then they break this down to 130,000 trophy hunting, blood thirsty killers just looking to put a black bear rug on their floors or a head on the wall. 

The anti’s have support from similar groups from around the country, groups that other than in N.J. have failed in their attempts to undermine the professionals of F&W, biologists. Therefore, N.J. is a sort of “last stand” for their ill advised cause. 

What Governor Corzine does not see, is that the support of hunting is far greater than just licensed hunters, it has the backing of millions of N.J. citizens. In addition, Governor Corzine seems to shrug off “the small part of the state” Sussex County in particular, just for your interest a mainly Republican county at that. 

The economy is as you all know in shambles; cuts are being made everywhere and sadly in much more important places than we would like to see. Yet N.J. continues to waste time and much needed money on this black bear issue. 

To be completely redundant to my other articles, we have eight (8) years history. In the two years, 2003 and 2005 in which the state came to its senses and allowed a black bear hunt the following years the actual black bear intrusive activity went down. After each year of the cancelled hunts the intrusive black bear activity went back up.

This year 2008 after three (3) years of no hunting we have reached a “documented”, all time high, of negative black bear activity including the (56) house break-ins. All through these years garbage control and educating the public along with adverse conditioning of the bears has been in place and practiced. How many more years of experience do we need? 

How then can a Governor make these statements even to go as far as downplaying the actual severity of intrusive behavior? Answer: He is being totally duped by the anti-hunting/animal-rights rhetoric.

Let’ face it does anyone really believe that Governor Corzine with all of the financial problems and concerns running the state really has the time to sit down and properly analyze the “wild black bear”? 

His advisors and inexperienced DEP Commissioner, Lisa Jackson is listening to the loudest voices and those voices are those of the anti’s. 

It took a near fatal accident for Governor Corzine to realize the value of seat belts and observing speed limits, we need to reach out to him so he can see the need for allowing the F&G, biologists to manage the states wildlife and we need to do this before another tragedy, like a human being seriously mauled or killed by a black bear takes place. 

We need to tell him that we have a basic “human-right” to expect a safe haven in our own backyards and the kitchens and garages of our tax-paid for property, at bus stops, in schoolyards and public recreation parks and land. In essence, we expect and pay for the safe use of our property and the state is expected to take whatever action is necessary to insure that safety. 

Since when is a problem in a ‘SMALL PART OF THE STATE” not really a problem? More important the problem is not confined to just a small part of the state as intrusions have taken place all over the state. 

This is just such frustrating non-sense it is hard to imagine that any intelligent person cannot understand that we live in a developing state wherein the black bear population is thriving and going over the states natural land carrying capacity. 

“Better waste and garbage management” will have absolutely no impact at this time in reducing and/or containing the black bear population or intrusive behavior.  

“Janet Piszar, one of the anti’s funneling misleading information to the Governor and DEP stated this non-sense logic; bears are now forced to forever live in fragmented habitat surrounded by human environments’. If bear attractants: garbage, bird seeds, pet and livestock food remain and 40% of the bears are killed, what will prevent the remaining 60% from being lured by those same attractants?” 

Janet Piszar, or her followers, if by chance you can read try this; stop misleading everyone before it is too late; you know fully well that if we reduce the black bear population through hunting by 40%, that opens up the thousands of acres of natural habitat for the other 60% to retreat to. Hunting then becomes “true” adverse conditioning as the “smart black bears” as you always brag they are, will associate humans with death, theirs not ours. It will not take long for the black bear to “fear” human contact and return to their shy, timid, non-intrusive behavior and now less occupied by black bear territory. 

Legal hunting lands both public and private are close enough to developed areas where hunting will definitely impact problem bears. This is especially true in Vernon and West Milford where state land joins many backyards.

Legal hunters are not 130,000 as they have support to pursue hunting from millions of citizens in N.J. Twenty-six (26) other states including California cannot be wrong they just put emotions and personal agendas aside and place “human-safety/human-rights” before “wild, dangerous, intrusive animal rights”.  

All supporters of hunting as wildlife management control; Contact the Governor, let him hear the truth from all citizens, we need to reduce the black bear population, hunting is the only proven method, hunters are actually agents of the state performing wild life management, bow hunters and gun hunters together are not the problem they are the solution; guess what they generate revenue as well.

Mike D
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"Human Rights, Yea Right"

The animal-rights/anti-hunters have tried throughout this year, as in years past, to inundate Governor Corzine and DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson with e-mails and phone calls to keep this issue a “political-matter” rather than a “wildlife management” issue.

Unfortunately, both Governor Corzine and Lisa Jackson have absolutely no experience in this matter and have picked up the “Whitman Baton” of yielding to the “non-lethal” approach of wildlife population control. Non-lethal, is a “Non-Solution”, it is a diversion created by animal-rights/anti-hunting groups in New Jersey in order to prolong the inevitable; a black bear hunt.

This is what it comes down to; we have a Governor and DEP Commissioner that have no idea of what it is like to live in black bear country, to lose the freedom of your tax paid for property, to have children and each day worry about those children becoming the victim of the roaming, overpopulated black bear, they don’t see domestic pets and livestock lost, nor do they feel for the owners.

What they know is that the well organized, but actual minority, of animal-right/anti-hunters have made more noise than the majority of citizens that really support hunting as a proven method of wildlife population control. Animal rights activists that have managed to portray a wild black bear as some sort of abused animal that should have the right to conduct criminal activities and threaten human safety. Animal rights activists that have a platform of anti-hunting under the guise of protecting the black bear. Animal rights activists that have played a minor, if any, role in wildlife management as compared to the professional Fish and Wildlife and biologists that successfully brought about the resurgence of black bears in New Jersey and throughout the country in all species of wildlife. This is not about just hunters you see, as the anti’s quickly point to approximately 130,000 hunters as a rather small group whose rights should be quickly dismissed, but millions, yes millions, of non-hunting citizens that have no issues with legal hunting and are sick and tired of the infringement on human life and safety created by black bears.

So how do we get this message to the Governor and DEP Commissioner? Follow the lead of the anti’s; inundate their offices with your support of a hunt based on the following:

Black bear complaints have drastically risen this year and house break-ins in particular, have risen and it is this activity that demonstrates the failure of garbage security and adverse conditioning. It is also these break-ins that pose a major threat to human safety.

Garbage security and adverse conditioning have absolutely no effect on maintaining a safe, co-existing number of black bears to human density. No; garbage control will not lead to a reduction in the black bear population, nor will adverse conditioning, nor will failed sterilization; wrong, incorrect antis’ rhetoric.

Twenty-six (26) out of twenty-seven (27) states with large black bear population, all, yes all, yes all, include hunting as the primary and proven, successful method of black bear population control.

Twenty-six (26) out of twenty-seven (27) states with large black bear population, all, yes all, yes all, allow their Fish and Wildlife, professionals and biologists to determine how to control wildlife populations through regulated hunting to cull the numbers and bring about a safe co-existing level.

The only state in the United States that interferes in the wildlife management process; you got it, New Jersey.

Listen, you know who you are; mothers running about taking care of children, coaching team sports, participating in other community projects, girl scouts, working, etc. Fathers working and trying to pitch in with child rearing and community issues, maybe coaching a little league team, cub and boy scouts, etc. Just plain and simple citizens with responsibilities that do not allow you to dream up false remedies to protect a wild black bear that has become overpopulated, intrusive, aggressive and disrupted human rights, nor the time to constantly write politicians’.

It is however, up to all of you, all of us to combat the anti’s because just plain common sense, coupled with the increases in black bear problems, tell the truth; we are in trouble and it will get worse unless the black bear population is culled through hunting as was successfully accomplished in 2003 and 2005.This is not a scare tactic; this is not misleading information because the truth has been clearly presented by the black bear and its antic, it is fact.Contact : note the last page herein after addresses

Governor Corzine DEP Commissioners’ Office

Office of The Governor Lisa P. Jackson

P.O. Box 001 401 E. State Street

Trenton, New Jersey 08625 P.O. Box 402

(609) 292-6000 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402

Phone: 609-292-2885

Fax: 609-292-7695

Simply advise both the Governor and DEP Commissioner, that the non-lethal approach is a failure and the longer they delay a black bear hunt to satisfy the anti’s the worst it will become. Hunting is the only proven method of population control as out of the past eight (8) years in New Jersey only the two years of hunting reduced complaints. In addition, (26) other states that have large black bear populations have successfully used hunting as the primary method of black bear population control for decades and they maintain healthy black bear populations and reduced human interaction.

If you feel like it also mention the unfair charges placed against Jefferson resident Teri Daubner, whose Rottweiler dog killed a trespassing small black bear on her own property a few weeks ago. The NJSPCA has filed charges “on behalf of the bear” along with the state that could lead to six (6) months in jail.

This non-sense has to be stopped immediately, taxpayers money and court time will be wasted and imagine a human being put in jail, perhaps with hardened criminals, for a dog killing a trespassing “wild black bear”.

Let them get away with this and it could be you, your family or friends next. Don’t kid yourself, this could happen to you.

Write, fax, call do all three, get to your family and friends let them be aware and if they agree have them do the same. We are out of time if the hunt does not go through this year we are in trouble, if a human is put in jail because her domestic pet killed an overpopulated, trespassing wild black bear, we are in deeper trouble.

Mike D

Since 2000 the New Jersey Black Bears have made their presence know through disrupting the “safety-zone of balance” required for co-existence with the human population.

At the same time animal-rights and anti-hunting groups saw an opportunity to prey on the weak political system in New Jersey through Governor Whitman. These groups created some illusion that “pardons” for intrusive black bear behavior should replace the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists, professional conclusion that black bear hunts should take place in order to reduce the overpopulation and maintain a “safe co-existing” level. Keep in mind these are the same professionals that successfully brought the black bear population to an acceptable number from the lows of the 1970’s.

It is interesting to note that many of these animal-right/anti-hunting groups do not even reside in New Jersey or at least live near black bear country.

In addition to attacking the F&W, these groups obviously set out against hunting and hunters. The first line of attacks came in the form of “Hunters are simply looking to put Trophy’s on their walls”. By alluding to trophy hunting they hoped and in fact did solicit support from animal lovers. The black bear was portrayed as this helpless animal (mammal actually) that was being targeted by blood thirsty hunters and being offered for slaughter by money hungry Fish&Game members and biologists.

Within this “blame-base” the anti’s offered garbage (you can take that comment both ways) as another pardon excuse.

Well garbage was a problem but this became a problem when the black bear population exceeded its natural carrying habitant and the overflow began to roam into previously unexplored territories.

For added “pardon-symphony” the anti’s cited “land development”. Here again, we should pardon the black bear and put the blame on human population growth, both new families and senior citizens with a need for housing. Of course, we have those “transferred-rural-tree hugging homeys” that believe once they move to the country everyone else should stay away. Why, if you don’t want the black bear killing your pets, domestic animals, breaking into your garages and houses, attacking and threatening humans, disrupting human rights and freedom, “get-out-of-town”. Sound familiar? It is like the old Westerns, “howdy partner why this town isn’t big enough for the both of us move out or draw.”

Well just look at these latest statistics:

July 21, 2008 to August 20, 2008 the state black bear unit received (437) bear calls compared to (185) for the same period in 2007

Fifty (50) calls were Category 1, (247) calls were Category 11, (140) calls were Category 111 in the time period 2008 as noted above

Twelve (12) calls were Category 1, (101) calls were Category 11, (72) calls were Category 111 in the time period 2007 as noted above.

From January 1, 2008 through August 20, 2008 a total of (1821) bear calls were received as compared to (1037) for the same time period in 2007.

The black bear unit in total received from January 1, 2008 through August 20, 2008; (169) Category 1 calls, (1015) Category 11 calls, and (637) Category 11 calls

For the same time period 2007 the calls were; (75) Category 1 calls, (543) Category 11 calls, (419) Category 111 calls.

Eighteen (18) bears were euthanized in 2008 as compared to (13) in 2007.

·        Category 1: Behavior includes; human attacks, home entries, attempted home entries, agricultural crop damage and killing livestock or pets.

·        Category 11: Behavior includes; nuisance bears are  habitual visitors’ to dumpsters or birdfeeders and property damage less than $500.00

·        Category 111 : Behavior includes; wandering into populated areas, passing through rural and suburban neighborhoods, bears observed by hikers, hunters, campers and others using facilities in black bear habitant

All of this activity, basically “criminal-activity” and last week we have the NJSPCA filing charges against a Jefferson woman, on behalf of the black bear no-less, because her dog chased, caught and killed a small black bear that trespassed on her property. Just imagine and think real hard about this, they want to put a human being, a woman, in jail because her dog killed a “wild-trespassing” animal that is destroying domestic pets, livestock and property.

Look at it this way if this non-sense does not stop, if the court does not throw this ridicules case out of court, anyone, your own family and/or friends that own a dog could end up with fines and jail if that dog happens to defend it’s property and attacks a trespassing, “wild-bear”.

On the other hand, if the black bear succeeds in killing your domestic pet there is no legal recourse for you (0), nothing.

We have wasted time and taxpayers money on this issue since 2000; New Jersey State Supreme hearings, Governor’s, DEP Commissioners,  Judges of local courts everyone involved in a decision making process that belongs to the professional F&G and biologists that are experienced and  paid to make these decisions.

This is totally out of control, non-experienced people, politicians or others should not be allowed to interfere with professionals. No, we do not need inexperienced people on the Fish & Game Council; we do not need animal-rights/anti-hunters determining the process for managing wild game.

Lastly, hunter or not we do not need to question the legal right a citizen has to harvest and process and consume their own food. It is the balance of hunting and game management that brings about a safe co-existence with wild animals all through America, except New Jersey, “Pardon Us but no more Black Bear Pardons.” Governor Corzine inherited this problem write him and tell him it is OK to pass the buck to Fish&Game.

Mike D

I am an “omnivore” and my diet includes plants, meat, insects, bee’s wasps, yellow jackets and honey. I also like skunk cabbage, horsetail, tree bark and acorns. If I want I will dine on, small mammals, like rodents, Whitetail fawns, Elk or Moose calves, I vary my diet with salmon, suckers, crayfish and trout. For desert, apples, cherries, pears, peaches and plums will do. 

I am the “APEX” predator in North America and with the exception of Grizzly (Brown Bear) no other animal/mammal can touch me.

I prefer to “live” in forested and shrubby areas but I often like ridge tops, tidelands, burned areas, riparian areas, agricultural field’s hardwood and conifer swamps.

I usually, “hibernate” in the winter in hollowed-out dens, tree cavities’, under logs or rocks, caves, culverts and shallow depressions. Since my body temperature does not significantly drop during the winter, here’s a little secret; I never really totally sleep and remain somewhat alert and in fact active. I am some what exhausted from an active breeding summer and following food frenzy to prepare for the winter.

In the spring I come fully out of this “hibernated-state” and begin feeding all over again, feeding and getting ready for another “breeding-run” of course in New Jersey, where we have some sort of reproduction madness, competition is not like it used to be, all of those Ma Ma bears running around, 3-5 cubs to look after and still every two years, here we go again. Love it as once those female cubs reach 3-4 years old, “watch-out”.

I enjoy breeding or act thereof; in this area I guess I most resemble the Human Species’. In fact, those humans got the “rabbit-habit” and are spreading out all over my natural habitant.

Now I have a real problem here, at one time I feared the poachers, and then Fish &Wildlife stepped in to set traps and catch them. I was also worried about hunters but for the most part the Fish & Wildlife stepped in again and stopped hunting until we caught back up with a population that allowed us to remain where we wanted to be, back in the forests out of sight, out of mind.

But those humans, here in New Jersey, why they just kept it up, if you know what I mean. They reproduced more than us, and then started to move into my country, OH, many of them lived here for years, generations of them, but they had farms and large plots of property and we were less, they were less so, well, we “safely-co-existed”. Live and let live.

To make matters worst some of us bears started getting a little nosey and ventured into these new developments, at first it was scary because we knew that the human was the “APEX” when it came to us, but for some reason as we encountered them something strange happened, they moved away from us, heck they looked plain scared.

So we started to roam around a little more and on certain nights the raccoons told us you could find a good “leftover” meal in some large pail that the humans put outside. Now I would admit that this certainly wasn’t better than a good old fashioned, home grown skunk cabbage patch, bee hive or small fresh animal/mammal, but with many of us now crowded out of those food sources’, well it is better than starving.

Some of us even realized that domestic livestock, was no longer protected and that pets were an easy prey as well. So we moved in on them too.

In some areas it was pretty cool, why people, some tribes called, “anti-hunting/animal-right, tree huggers” even snuck us food in their backyards and all we had to do was look cute and let them snap a few pictures. We even got creative and sat on their children’s swing sets, laid in their hammocks; we used their swimming pools.

As Murphy’s’ law would have it just when we were bragging about our new found life some wise ass decided they had enough. The humans actually got mad because they had to pick-up their garbage from all over the place, so they put it in some silly looking yellow pails with large handles on top. Let me tell you, we could drag these away and irrigate them with tooth holes, but why bother? We just watched those houses with the silly yellow pails and found where they stored garbage before the “out-night”. Most put it in sheds or garages. Well, they didn’t realize that in addition to our jaws and teeth we have some “guns” in our legs, enough to rip open any shed or garage and that we did.

Others’ of us decided that domestic livestock and pets were in large supply and easier than some garbage to get. So we went heavy there as well.

Some humans decided to get in our way, maybe on purpose, maybe by accident, no matter we swiped a few, bit a few and some of our more rogue members well, they went further.

Back in 2003 we were surprised that when we encountered humans, during the month of December, we were being shot at and taken. They weren’t scared of us and their “smoke-sticks” carried powerful medicine, man we made way back to the forests a few less but actually we had more room now. In 2004, we were a little timid again but for some reason the humans were passive again, so we went back to our old ways trying to make up for those lost opportunities. I guess we went a little too far, because in December of 2005, the “smoke-sticks” were out again and again we retreated. Thankfully, those dumb humans came after us in December, in the cold and snow where many of us were already in partial hibernation.

We were a little wary in the beginning of 2006 but we soon realized that we were OK again, in 2007 we stepped it up a little more and so far in 2008 we are going bonkers. Heck; we are multiplying to numbers where nothing will stop us and any human getting in our way, we will take out. That goes for adults any age and especially kids, because unlike us two, three year young humans don’t have the smarts to cope with us. Maybe we were timid and shy once but for now our attitude is aggressive and dangerous.

One of our seniors picked out some oil soaked newspaper from the garbage, a relative of “ Smokey Bear” was he, who was able to read the news that our allies, the anti-hunting/animal-right party had somehow succeeded in convincing the “vote-minded” liberal politicians in New Jersey that we should be left alone, not to worry about us hurting anybody. That a few domestic animals, breaking into garages and houses and roughing up or worse on a few humans was no big deal. Listen to this; these groups even convinced the Governor’s office and DEP that we could just be left alone to multiply year after year and here’s the kicker; we can “safely-co-exist”. OK

  The only thing humans have to be made to do is give up:

·        freedom of their own, tax paid for, backyards and private property

·        look over your shoulder on any public parkland

·        take down bird feeders

·        give up backyard barbecues’

·        don’t cook with open windows

·        don’t leave fresh baked pies, cookies, etc in “your own” kitchen

·        take your kids to the bus stops, without peanut butter and jelly lunches

·        consider your domestic livestock and pets as expendable

·        dig up fruit and nut trees

·        pray every night that you do not get in our way 

·        learn that a wild bears’ life, is more important than human life

As Ray’s father the late actor Peter Boyle would say; “Holy Crap is that All”

Some mention was made of bringing back the hunting season and our allies countered with “sterilization”, to tell you the truth, they will never catch enough of us to sterilize and doubt if any chemical they use will work, we have a pretty strong constitution on breeding; we love it, DON’T MESS WITH THAT OR YOU MIGHT REALLY FIND SOME ANGRY BEARS.

We would go as far as saying when it comes to sterilization versus hunting, we bears “Support Hunting”. It’s a win, win for us. First you have to catch us, oh, it might be easy at first because dang-it, there are a few too many of us right now. But once we get thinned out a little and can get back to our own natural habitant, you will see how our shy and timid personality of the past takes over and makes us quite elusive.

Frankly speaking, we are tired of being relegated to the human “open-zoo” environment.

The human population triggered off this problem, developers made it worse, then the anti-hunter/animal-right, tree hugging photographers added to the problem.

All species have predators’, disease, accidents whatever this is life it will never change, Support, your wildlife biologists, Fish and Game and Black Bear hunting, it is part of life. Contact Governor Corzine and DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson let them see that the “real-majority” supports a controlled hunt.

Please Tree-Huggers no more help your lies are killing us more than the smoke sticks will.

Mike D