Friends of Animals Urges NJ DEP to Stop Bear Hunt
12 August 2005
Bradley M. Campbell,Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
401 East State Street
7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Commissioner Campbell:
Friends of Animals, a national animal advocacy organization with approximately 17,000 New Jersey members, strongly urges the Department of Environmental Protection to forgo the second bear hunt that the New Jersey Fish and Game Council has approved, and to let waste management initiatives work.
We appreciate your effort in West Milford, which received a $200,000 Clean Communities grant from the state to purchase the heavy-duty cans with screw-on lids. But the cans won’t be distributed until autumn — and only to residents in six communities. [“Bear-proof garbage cans to be tested in West Milford,” New Jersey Record (18 June).]
To determine the effectiveness of bear-proof cans, your department has made “control communities” of the northern section of Upper Greenwood Lake, West Milford Lake, Lindy’s Lake, High Crest Lake and Hi Lo Acres. The department could confirm the effectiveness of these cans by letting them work everywhere. The $200,000 grant should be implemented in conjunction with the educational and prevention initiatives—including a strong emphasis on proper disposal methods at food outlets, parks, and construction sites, anchored by diligent enforcement—in all affected counties.
You have said: “We all need to play a part in reducing the risk of bear encounters. The place that effort should start is at the trash can.”
We agree.
We also laud the all-volunteer initiative the Bear Education and Resource group recently undertook in Hardyston Township in Sussex County. We believe that these initiatives ought to have a chance to work.
Some of these volunteers are young scouts. Please do not teach them that what adults do is get quickly frustrated with good work, throw our hands up, and resort to violence. Please do not teach them that New Jersey kills what it claims to legally protect. Please do not teach them to disrespect the other native beings that make our region of the country such a wondrous place to grow up and to call home.
It does not make sense to shift from the wisdom of using non-violent means—means which you rightly supported last year all the way to the state Supreme Court—to throwing up hands and taking up arms.
In all of New Jersey’s recorded history, not one human being has been killed or seriously injured by a black bear. Black bears have every interest in avoiding humans, provided humans do not lure them unnecessarily.
Yes, there have been those in Bear Country saying that the authorities are just not doing enough. Wiping out bears might be “doing” something, but it’s not the enlightened thing. Your department has very good recommendations with respect to correct waste bins, bin storage and cleaning practices, bird feeders, air horns, and the proper conduct when encountering a bear. These are effective and appropriate responses when bears become overly interested in us.
In summary, sound waste management, not hunting, will best serve New Jersey and its visitors. And teaching a sound environmental ethic, one that fosters respect and appreciation for our state’s black bears, benefits us all.
Very truly yours,
Friends of Animals
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33 Comments
On August 19, 2005, Anne Soden wrote:
As a New Jersey resident, I am actively involved in trying to prevent this bear hunt. Unfortunately, Fish & Game is salivating for a “trophy”. The hunters are pushing for it big time and there is no justification for this at all. I will keep pushing to stop this unnecessary cruel hunt.
On August 19, 2005, Rebecca Rodriguez wrote:
Hello I think that bear hunting should stop!Why would we kill a innocent animal!People that bear hunt are just cruel and heartless!Is Everyone with me!Stop bear hunting!!
On August 19, 2005, Rebecca Rodriguez wrote:
Hello I think bear hunting is just wrong! Why would anyone do something like this? People that bear hunting are killing innocent animals and bears!people that do this are cruel and heartless! So is everyone with me! If you then say; STOP BEAR HUNTING!!!
On August 19, 2005, Myrna wrote:
I agree on stopping bear hunt or any hunting laws in USA. It is contradictory to humane treatment laws for animals that supposedly make a difference in USA. Please send me any petitions to sign and distribute.
On August 20, 2005, Priscilla Feral wrote:
Myrna and others who wish to press New Jersey’s decision-makers about their opposition to the bear shoot should write the DEP’s Commissioner Bradley Campbell. Consider using some of the sound arguments Friends of Animals made in our 12 August 2005 letter above, but make the points in your own words. Many thanks.
Priscilla Feral
President
Friends of Animals
On August 24, 2005, chris watt wrote:
I urge you to act responsibly and with kindness towards animals!
On August 26, 2005, JANET BERRY wrote:
I DON’T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HUNT ANIMALS !
On August 26, 2005, Janet wrote:
I DON’T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HUNT ANIMAL’S FOR SPORT, IF THEY’RE NOT GOING TO EAT IT, THEN WHY KILL AN INNOCENT ANIMAL. WOLVES AND SUCH DOESN’T HAVE GROCERY STORES TO GO TO LIKE YOU AND I DO, SO THEY HAVE TO SURVIVE THE BEST THEY KNOW HOW.
UNLESS THE GOVERMENT WANTS TO SET OUT FOOD FOR THEM SO THEY WON’T GO HUNGRY.
On August 28, 2005, Doreen Zelasko wrote:
There is no need to kill these creatures who are just trying to survive like “you and I”. The public needs to be educated, especially if living in “bear country”.
Education is key …
Please stop this unecessary hunt.
On August 29, 2005, megan wrote:
there i no need for the killing of bears or weolves or deer in new jersey. first of all people choose to live in thes areas and the animals were there long before the humans decided to overpopulate lands in new jersey. second let the animals live in peace in their own enviroment and educate people not to hang out bird seed containers or leave pets unattended in the yard. don’t ruthlessly kill animals instead educate humans.
On August 31, 2005, Robert T Phillips wrote:
I’m not a hunter but agree that they should allow a bear hunt in NJ .No amount of conservation management will ever be effective in managing the exploding bear population.The increasing bear population moving into very residential areas is like the deer problem in NJ.The prevention of deer culling/hunting in certain NJ counties has let the exploding deer population destroy so much of the habitat for other native species.Hunting is the ONLY effective and humane solution to maintaining a healthly bear and deer population. To watch animals starve and be so sickly due to over population and is the most inhumane site.
On September 1, 2005, Ellie Maldonado wrote:
Hi Robert,
Are there too many bears (and deer) in New Jersey, or too many people imposing on their natural habitat?
Hunters, and the wildlife management groups that represent them, claim these animals are overpopulated. Yet they ignore the fact that selective hunting and habitat modification have caused the “problem”.
And hunting will not solve it.
The temporary decrease in hunted populations leads to an increase in their food supply—which in turn favors increased reproduction.
Hunters do not kill starving animals. Indeed, in their quest for trophies, they often kill the strongest.
Significantly, bears who feed on human garbage (or at bait stations) tend to grow faster; weigh more; have more cubs; and longer lactation periods than bears who feed in their natural habitat.
There is nothing humane about hunting.
The answer here is proper management of garbage, and respect for the non-human animals who share this planet with us.
Ellie Maldonado
Friends of Animals in New York City
On September 4, 2005, R.S wrote:
I think we should stop hunting every animal on this god-damn planet there is no need for it if we all just stop then there won’t be so many disagreements in this world also i think we should boy cot circuses, rodeos, and any non-friendly things people do to animals, it isn’t fair just because animals don’t have a voice and can’t understand you dosn’t mean that we have the right to kill and hurt them and i don’t see anyone hurting or killing a disabled, deaf or blind person. people who are mean to animals are just gutless and for your information you don’t look tough or strong
you just look ugly and nasty…
On September 10, 2005, Anne Soden wrote:
There was a bear this summer one block down from me in East Windsor, NJ. All it did was eat some apples from a tree, then it left. The panic and hysteria is all out of proportion and the bear in question was released at Assunpink by the Division of Fish and Wildlife so that people could see it and get crazed. They could have released it in an area less populated in northwest New Jersey, but they are hot on a bear hunt so they can show how macho they are. I think it has been proven that the majority of people do NOT want a hunt. Please listen to us.
On September 14, 2005, gena wrote:
I have seen the bears in Sussex! They are fantastic, our environment must be in good shape, as we in NJ have lots of wonderful creatures that are quite prolific!
I think the problem is that people from Urban areas move to our(once rural)suburban areas, and think they have staked claim on their land, and surroundings, not thinking that PERHAPS the humans are encroaching on their territory, not the other way around. So much wildlife here is getting pushed out of their habitat, and people have the gall to comment on the deer, bear, fox, etc. “problem”. I say to them, “You came to their house, they didn’t come to yours!”
My latest idea…all of us against the bear hunt, go get a bear licence, once the alloted amount is distributed no one else can buy one, that means less actual hunters. Use your licence to go scare them away from the line of fire, wear bright orange!!!
On September 20, 2005, suzanne Herlihy wrote:
well….
We do it anyway.
I’m so glad I found this web site!Hello fellow animal lovers!
I’m in Roosevelt , nj.I live next to Assunpink wildlife reserve management park. Sure you think that’s great! No.
They have woods and deer and 2 black bears!But..this stupid , ranger station does NOT help animals. They have deer and moose heads on thier office walls!They kill and stuff animals!They say there are too many deer and have to be killed off!They bother the farmers. I love this town..it’s woods…it’s small…The deer come through my yard! Never have I lived in such a wonderful place, but…the animals MUST BE SAVED
On September 23, 2005, RICHARD R. TURNER wrote:
WHEN YOU PEOPLE STOP GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE TO BUY YOUR MEAT THAT SOMEONE HAS KILLED FOR YOU, THEN YOU CAN TALK TO ME ABOUT NOT HUNTING. EVER BEEN TO A SLAUGHTER HOUSE? NOT PRETTY!
I TRULY FEEL FOR THOSE “DOMESTICATED” TRUSTING ANIMALS THAT HAVE NO CHANCE. LET’S FACE IT FOLKS, ANIMALS ARE NECESSARY FOR OUR SURVIVAL I FOR ONE PREFER TO AQUIRE MY PROTEIN BY HUNTING THEREBY GIVING THE ANIMAL A SPORTING CHANCE AT SEEING ANOTHER DAY
BESIDES GUESS WHAT PEOPLE, GOD PUT THEM HERE NOT AS PETS BUT FOR FOOD. CRUEL? THEN DON’T EAT MEAT. SIMPLY MIND YOUR BUSINESS AND LET US MIND OURS.
[Blog editors’ note: Thank you for writing in. Don’t eat meat is right answer. Friends of Animals already encourages people to eat a plant-based diet. Consuming the flesh of other animals is not necessary for our survival, and you can acquire all the protein you need from non-animal sources. Whether a person believes in a deity of or not, there is no need to treat other animals as food or pets. Catherine MacKinnon asked in “Of Mice and Men” what other animals want from us, if anything other than to be let alone. Maybe the answer to that question is for humanity to mind its own business and let the non-human animals mind theirs. Surely that would mean that we shouldn’t hunt or raise them as food, or breed them to be our pets.]
On October 6, 2005, wendy wrote:
Dear Commissioner:
I don’t beleive in today’s hunting, I beleive that it was hunting back when people hunted for food and used bows and arrows. Today, people have guns with telescopic lenses, and binoculars, it takes no creativity, no honor, it is sickening. People that hunt for the “game” of it?? What game, what is the difference between what these hunters do and someone that kills people for the thrill? Nothing! People are killing bears because they just want an excuse to go out there and kill something. Blaming everything on the bears when we are the ones that are taking their homes away!Leave the Damn bears (and deer)alone, they were here first, stop cutting down trees to build homes and shopping malls and maybe they would have somewhere to go!! For God’s sake people, wake up! Our survival depends on their survival!
On November 16, 2005, Karen Polly wrote:
I don’t understand the concept of hunting!! What kind of sport, is it anyway? So, you can kill a defenseless animal - that should really make you feel good!! I understand killing an animal if you really need the food, but for sport, come on. I think we should give a gun to the Deer and Bears and let them kill the hunters - that would be funny!!
[ Blog editors’ note: Hello, Karen. The state officials are saying that the six-day black bear hunt slated to take place next month in New Jersey is meant to deal with a perceived bear overpopulation. We want everyone - New Jersey’s bears and humans - to remain unharmed. A poster produced by the state’s environmental department says the first thing people can do to mitigate problems with bears is to proper waste disposal. If this is the best protection for communities that fear for their safety, why isn’t the department working to make it possible? While bear-proof waste canisters have been purchased by the department for West Milford communities, the bins are being denied to other communities so that the state can run a test. Friends of Animals’ bear consultant, Winthrop Staples III, a Wildlife Technician at Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, said:
“The apparent slow pace of getting bear resistant containers in widespread use in New Jersey is practically and morally very disturbing. In plain language, someone is liable to be killed by a bear because the [New Jersey] political class is too timid to mandate bear proof containers. This would be an opportune time for public servants to display some strong safeguarding of human food in New Jersey.”
Friends of Animals]
On November 20, 2005, Sharon Roth wrote:
With 756 reported ‘bear incidents’ in NJ in 2004, only one of which [posed a risk to] a human, the number of NJ deaths caused by smoking, IN ONE MONTH, far exceeds the risk posed by our bears.
If our lawmakers are intent on protecting our lives here in our state, why don’t they finally institute a ban on public smoking? 53,000 people, mostly women, die every year in NJ JUST from second-hand smoke.
Save the Bears! Stop Smoking!
On December 2, 2005, john lee wrote:
stop the bear hunt, show people how to live with them!! stop the new homes that keep getting built, the bears were here first, now they have no place to go, its there falt! so we must take them out…. wrong…. save our woods….the bears home i see a bear all the time in my yard it NEVER try to get me in any way, i dont leave any food around for it to want so it just goes back in the woods ..please dont kill it!!!! STOP THE BEAR HUNT NOW
On December 5, 2005, mimi lindstrom wrote:
hi i am for the hunt and i don t hunt. this past july my dog was mauled by a black bear in my yard.i use to be against it up until that happened . did you ever see abear run about 35 miles at its target well i did my dog was only protecting me and my 2 year old girl. we were sitting by the pool andabout 50 feet away came a mother bear with 3 cubs well my 15 year old dog ran to scare it away but little did my dog know the bear turned around and didnt have a chance it attacked with a viciousness i have never seen in my life , she is 15 years old and was no threat to it, she didn t get near it to provoke it either IT just wanted to attack.what if my 2 year old had run into it ? what would of happened? well i know ,these bears do not fear us anymore, it came back 7 times since then i m afraid to be in my yard we have aot of property 10 acres.it surprised us again when we were swimming in are pool with all the noise and my girl crying and screaming outside about 50 feet away .you say noise scares them not this one. my dogs bills are over 8,000 dollars we still have to pay for and she needs another because it didn t heal right her skin is not together to her flesh it tore it loose now we have to wait until we can afford it. i have to watch it dosnt get infected.so don t tell me to save the bears wake up! there not your friend or pets or children, do are kids have to die at the hands of a bear before you get it through your heads. we don t keep garbage out we don t feed them i read your articles and laugh because we never had such abear problem in west milford in the 43 years i have lived here . i never seen them when i was young and i played in the woods ALL DAY. MIMI LINDSTROM
Blog editor’s note: We suggest you wake-up and realize that of the land left that’s still home to free-living bears and other animals, it’s not sterile, and you should make sure (1) bears don’t associate you with food, and (2) bears are predators. so your kids, dog and cats need to be watched by you when they’re outside. We hate hearing that anyone was injured, but shooting hundreds of bears is not going to stop the remaining bears from being attracted to outdoor grills, bird feeders and other food sources. Nor will it stop bears from wandering through your acreage.If you want to be safe from all four-legged animals, a move to the city is advised, and then you can focus on hazards caused by two-legged animals.
On January 17, 2006, Paolo wrote:
I don’t agree. We should leave the bears alone. If we kill them most of the time we are killing the mothers. Without the mothers who will care for the poor little cubs?
On March 28, 2006, Brian Martello wrote:
My name is Brian. I am 9 years old. I think bears are our friends and we should not kill our friends. It is wrong to kill a mother bear because the baby will be left alone. You would not kill a human and leave a real baby an orphan…why would you do it to an animal. It is wrong to kill any living animal or human. We should all be treated equally. God created animals. Then he put man on earth to care for his animals - not kill them. You should be ashamed of yourselfs for even thinking of killing an animal…how would you like it if an animal picked up a gun and shot you?
On April 15, 2006, steve wrote:
I hope all of you against the bear hunt don’t read about the several dogs,loving family dogs, that have been killed in their own back yards protecting young kids. Oh, that might change your mind,imagine if it was your dog.Imagine your child having to witness that death,hoping that it does not haunt them for the rest of their lives.NJ bear are not afraid of humans and that is very dangerous. what are you folks waiting for? A bear to kill a child and then it’s ok to hunt the bears? In Benton,TN a black bear has just killed a 6 year old girl on April 14 06 I wonder which one of you wants to call that mother, whom may die from the attack,and tell her that bears do not kill humans and are harmless to us.You people need to stop dealing with stats and start dealing with reality that they are WILD DANGEROUS ANIMALS…
[Blog editors’ note: Heads-up Steve: Bear hunters are dangerous and they shot hundreds of bears to death which will not make the remaining black bears act less like bears. Friends of Animals acknowledges that bears are potentially dangerous yet that doesn’t mean that shooting 10 percent will tame them ,or make food less attractive to bears. So using bear-proof garbage bins is a start in the right direction if one is living in habitat that’s shared with bears. There’s too much development in New Jersey; bears should be respected, given space, not lured to human food, and left alone. ]
On April 27, 2006, Al from NJ wrote:
Redirected maternal drives and submissive male behavior do not a realistic philosphy make in a universe where galaxies collide and stars explode. You can’t nurture wild animals in the wild. As long as the population is exploding there will have to be some concessions made as wild animal habitat continues to decrease. I doubt sacrificing small children, pets, etc. to foraging predators at the exurban edge will be the solution. Face it, they ‘aint making any more real estate. But they sure are making more people. And now you folks insist making more predatory animals as well is also the way to go. I see bears now and then so
I wear a large caliber gun on my hip whenever I go into my yard.
Just in case.
Thanks for making that necessary.
[Blog editors’ note: And thanks for sharing the sanctimonious nonsense. ]
On May 17, 2006, Linda wrote:
The New Jersey “Bear Management Plan” stinks and has stunk for a long time. Apparently, the stench has reached everyone’s nostrils. Remove the bear exclusion zones and stop the proposed 2006 bear hunt. Together we can; divided we cannot.
On October 24, 2006, Susan Stringfield wrote:
So what has actually happened since the announcement of the plan to spend $200,000 for providing bear-resistant cans to 6 communities within West Milford, NJ? It’s been at least 15 months since then-DEP Commissioner Campbell stood at West Milford town hall with two $50 bear-resistant cans from www.crittercan.ORG, and I haven’t heard much more than that.
Susan Stringfield
On November 11, 2006, Vivek Rajan wrote:
an animal should not be hunted. Animals need environment like we do. Hunters think that games are good but they’re not. People could get meat from stores not go hunting. Hunting is very bad. Hunters should read this . Please do not hunt animals. They are an important part of the world.
[Blog editors’ note: If you have a look in other sections of this site, you’ll find information on vegetarianism. When humans decide on the side of complete vegetarianism, we cultivate a safe, healthful way of life for all — respecting humans and all other animals.]
On July 25, 2007, Suzanne Herlihy wrote:
My name is Suzanne Herlihy….I did live in Roosevelt, Nj..but..I moved out..just because of all the hunting and killing of animals….
On October 29, 2007, JT wrote:
In Alaska we don’t have many problems with bears because they are taught that humans are dangerous. Your assertion that shooting bears will not make them act less like bears has been proven wrong every time it’s tried. Bears are very smart animals and they learn quickly. A grizzly was removed from the Cordova AK. garbage dump and transplanted to an island 10 miles away. 2 days later it swam back to the dump. NJ needs to stop providing easy meals for the bears to start with. You are right about one thing. Education is the key. Look at the places where hunting is allowed, they have few if any problem bears. Now look at the places where hunting is prohibited, such as NJ and some National Parks, you have many bear incidents. Look at what’s worked outside your little east coast artificial environment.
FoA comments:
In Alaska or not, certain problems are worse than others, and certain solutions are worse than the problems. Yes, bears are highly intelligent, but more importantly, they have a right to live free. Hunting as a proposed solution to the problem of, “How can animals live free?” makes no sense at all. But correcting human behavior in regards to how it directly and indirectly affects free-living animals is a necessary part of the solution.
On August 8, 2008, vivek wrote:
Now that were starting to stop hunting people are saying new animals like mountain lions are starting to move in
On August 27, 2008, Jean wrote:
I’ve counted 11 cubs here in my particular neighborhood just this year across town a friend has counted another 5. We’ve both had our chickens just torn to shreds and eaten. Kids have gotten hurt, dogs have died & they’ve broken into peoples houses. but ummm yea ya’ll are doing a great job. We’re moving out because living in the country in NJ means you can’t even have the hobby farm or even ANY pets! It’s very sad. And my poor kids having to WATCH their chickens & ducks ripped up. it was horrible….
FoA comments:
From the bears’ perspective, they are seeing a lot more people all across their territory, and they were there first.
If the bears didn’t eat the chickens and ducks, who was going to eat them? Bears don’t have much choice in their diet — people do. Go vegan.
Lastly, if you can’t stand the country, get out of the country.