New Jersey sportsmen urged to support black bear hunt (4/24/2003)

The New Jersey Fish and Game Council has proposed a limited black bear hunting season for December 2003. Sportsmen's support is needed to ensure that the proposal is enacted.

On March 7, the Fish and Game Council approved a tentative rule change that would allow a bear hunt in northwest New Jersey. The hunt was suggested to help control the rapidly growing bear population, which is two to three times larger than the habitat can withstand. Human/bear incidents and property destruction have increased in recent years to a level that warranted action by the Council.

The Council is accepting public comment on the proposal and the animal rights groups are pulling out all of the stops to prevent the hunt. They advocate a birth control program that is expensive, ineffective and uses a drug that has not been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should attend the public hearing to discuss the proposed bear hunt. The hearing will be held at the New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St. in Trenton, on May 22. Persons attending should arrive by 6:30 PM.

New Jersey sportsmen should also contact Governor James McGreevey and Bradley Campbell, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. Sportsmen should also contact their state legislators to support the black bear hunt. Tell them that the limited bear-hunting season is needed to address an increasing bear population.

Contact information:

Governor James McGreevey, 125 West State St. Trenton, NJ 08625-0001. Ph: (609) 292-6000. Ask the Governor to support the Fish and Game Council's vote to have a limited bear season.

Bradley Campbell, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, 401 East State St., Trenton, NJ 08625-0402. Ph: (609) 292-2885. Ask the Commissioner to support the Fish and Game Council's vote to hold a bear season.

New Jersey Fish and Game Council, P. O. Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625. Send comments supporting the black bear hunt.

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