New Jersey Legislators Call for Action Amidst Increasing Bear Incidents

New Jersey Legislators Call for Action Amidst Increasing Bear Incidents

Corzine Administration Criticized for Failing to Reexamine Bear Management Policy
8/19/09



A group of New Jersey legislators seized upon a new report showing an increasing number of bear related incidents to push the Administration of Governor John Corzine to reevaluate its current management policy.

An August 13 press release from Senator Steven Oroho (R- Franklin Burrough) and Assemblypersons Alison Littell McHose (R- Franklin) and Gary Chiusano (R- Frankford Township) highlighted the most recent monthly report issued by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) which indicates bear related incidents continue to increase. In the release, the legislators urged Gov. Corzine to change its bear management policies.

“It’s time Governor Corzine put aside politics and his personal feelings about hunting and look at the bigger picture,” stated Sen. Oroho. “This is a serious matter of public safety. Adults and children alike in our communities are literally under attack because the bear population is not being adequately controlled. It’s obvious this administration’s alternate bear management policies are not working.”

According to the DFW report, there were 512 complaints for the period this year compared to 407 calls in 2008. This represents a 26 percent increase in complaints. Additionally, of those 512 complaints, 138 were ‘Category I’ complaints involving public safety risks or damage to property of more than $500.

The effort is similar to a call put out at the end of 2008 which also called on Gov. Corzine to modify the state bear management plan.

The three legislators side with biologists and other professionals who support the return of bear hunting in order to address resident concerns.

Gov. Corzine’s head of the Department of Environmental Protection, Lisa Jackson, who now serves as the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama Administration, put a stop to bear hunting in New Jersey in 2006. Since then, bear incidents have been consistently on the rise.

“For years, there has been a steadfast refusal to look at numbers produced by the professionals in the DFW,” stated Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “The bear hunt is the only scientifically legitimate form of management that works. It’s time that Gov. Corzine and his Administration reassess current policy and brings the hunt back.”

The freshest tracks still have feet in them.

Never happen until someone gets killed by one. He has way toooooooooooooooo many of them animal rights activists on his side. They have been trying for yrs now to get it reinstated and running into brick walls. 

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

  Yep, Corzine needs to go...God forbid someone gets a job in Govt with the proper background/training needed for that job!! I guess that would make too much sense....

Jeff

Before moving to NY State I lived in New Jersey for many years. This clown and his fellow dems have driven the state into the ground. There is so much coruption that it's ridiculous. Literally hundreds of politicians in NJ have been indicted for all sorts of crimes.

The freshest tracks still have feet in them.

Maybe in a few years they will open it up a little. Just a small harvest of bears.

  They tried having a season when Corzine got into office. Season was set to go, Corzine cancelled it outright!! 

Jeff

Maybe, if they opened up a season on Corzine this situation would rectify itself in short order.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Maybe he'll take a walk someday and run into a ticked off sow with cubs.  Sorry for the ******* Steve. I edited. it 

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

  Now that would be funny!!

Jeff

and Yes I am just a bit excited about this hunt Jeff. Tired of this 100  plus deg heat down here and ready for some 50's.  LOL

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

  Better pack your rain gear!!!

Jeff