Post by 4pointer on Dec 22, 2006 16:31:01 GMT -5
Black bear incidents are on the upswing in New Jersey, putting livestock, house pets, and even neighborhood children at risk. Unfortunately, the state’s top environmental official would rather support the anti-hunting movement than ensure public safety and a healthy bear population.
According to New Jersey Fish and Game Council Acting Chairperson Jeanette Vreeland, bear complaints from Oct. 20 – Nov. 20 shot up this year from 109 (2005) to 158 (2006), a 45 percent increase. Hunting helps control bear-human incidents, but Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson demonstrated her anti-hunting bias when she discarded the state’s black bear management plan and cancelled the 2006 hunt in November.
“Bear-human conflicts demonstrate the need for New Jersey to control its bear population by hunting,” said Tony Celebrezze, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “Successful bear hunts in 2003 and 2005 reduced the bear population and resulted in a decrease in bear-human incidents.”
Recently, black bears have killed chickens, pheasants and pet rabbits. They have attacked New Jersey residents and pets, and broken into parked vehicles to find food. There is even a report that a resident has been feeding bears and the animals have begun to approach neighborhood children within 10 feet.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with Safari Club International and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, has sued the state over the bear hunt. They argue that Commissioner Jackson does not have the authority to scrap the state’s approved black bear management plan and hunt.
A New Jersey appellate court is scheduled to hear the full case on Jackson’s action in late March.
The organizations filed suit against the state on Nov. 3 to force the issuance of bear hunting permits as required by law. The groups amended the suit when Commissioner Jackson cancelled the hunt on Nov. 15.
According to New Jersey Fish and Game Council Acting Chairperson Jeanette Vreeland, bear complaints from Oct. 20 – Nov. 20 shot up this year from 109 (2005) to 158 (2006), a 45 percent increase. Hunting helps control bear-human incidents, but Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson demonstrated her anti-hunting bias when she discarded the state’s black bear management plan and cancelled the 2006 hunt in November.
“Bear-human conflicts demonstrate the need for New Jersey to control its bear population by hunting,” said Tony Celebrezze, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “Successful bear hunts in 2003 and 2005 reduced the bear population and resulted in a decrease in bear-human incidents.”
Recently, black bears have killed chickens, pheasants and pet rabbits. They have attacked New Jersey residents and pets, and broken into parked vehicles to find food. There is even a report that a resident has been feeding bears and the animals have begun to approach neighborhood children within 10 feet.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with Safari Club International and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, has sued the state over the bear hunt. They argue that Commissioner Jackson does not have the authority to scrap the state’s approved black bear management plan and hunt.
A New Jersey appellate court is scheduled to hear the full case on Jackson’s action in late March.
The organizations filed suit against the state on Nov. 3 to force the issuance of bear hunting permits as required by law. The groups amended the suit when Commissioner Jackson cancelled the hunt on Nov. 15.
