New Jersey sportsmen answer calls to action and support proposed bear hunt (5/23/2003)

Hundreds of New Jersey sportsmen turned out at a May 22 public hearing to support a proposed 2003 black bear hunting season. They were responding to a series of alerts and postcards issued by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, which is working with other New Jersey sportsmen's organizations to endorse the hunt.

Sportsmen and other hunt supporters vastly outnumbered the anti-hunters at the hearing. They urged the state Fish and Game Council to approve the hunt to protect people and property, and to preserve the hunting lifestyle.

Recent bear conflicts include a 150-pound female bear swatting a child in the head as he sat on the front steps of his house. There have also been recent livestock losses, including the deaths of four sheep due to a bear mauling at a Hopewell Township farm.

The Fish and Game Council will receive written comments on the issue until July. It is scheduled to decide by September whether to give final approval for the hunt.
About two dozen anti-hunters protested outside the hearing site. One dressed in a bear costume.

On March 7, 2003 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.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should continue to contact Governor James McGreevey and Bradley Campbell, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. Sportsmen should also keep the pressure on the Fish and Game Council to support the black bear hunt. Submit written comments telling them that a limited bear-hunting season is needed to address an increasing bear population.

Send a copy of your written comments to the Governor and Bradley Campbell. They can be contacted at:

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 Wildlife Council, P. O. Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625. Send comments supporting the black bear hunt.

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