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New Jersey Bear Hunt
Begins
New Jersey’s first bear hunt in 33 years
began December 8. By the end of the day, it was reported that 61 bears
had been taken. The first bear of the season was shot by Harry McDole,
63, of Sussex Borough just before 8:00 a.m.
The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife approved plans for the
first New Jersey black bear hunt to help reduce the bear population,
which has swelled to over 3,000 across the state. In the last two years, animal control officers killed 59
bears who posed immediate threats to people and/or property. Last year, 55
bears broke into homes (up from 29 in 2001), and another 25 tried to enter
homes. Police received 379 complaints about bears getting into garbage,
111 incidents of property damage, 27 livestock killings, 15 dog attacks
and 1 human attack.
Bears were hunted in New Jersey from 1958 to 1970. Hunting was suspended
when the number of bears dropped to 100. Wildlife officials hoped to
reduce the current bear population by 500.
The hunt went forward in spite of attempts from anti-hunting groups to
halt it. The Association supports the bear hunt and hunter's rights in
New Jersey.
Back to:
Defending Your Rights
Background on the Bear Hunt Proposed
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