Keep the bear hunt

As a hunter, conservationist and public land owner, it is inconceivable to me how we have allowed a very small minority of people (most who don’t even live in NJ) to direct the Governor to make a decision to close public lands to bear hunters. Public land belongs to the public. We have just as much right to use it as any non-hunter. 40% of bears harvested last season were taken on public land. Imagine the safety risks when there is no hunt and the population grows. We are opening our public lands up to potential bear attacks, our roads surrounding public lands will be at greater risk for bear v. car accidents and homes near these lands will also experience a greater risk of issues with both human and animal v. bear encounters.

The fact of the matter is the population of black bears needs to be controlled in the State of NJ. The answer is not ridiculously expensive, supposedly bear proof garbage cans.

It is not further educating humans on how to behave should they encounter a bear in their YARD. And it is certainly not to do nothing and sit by as the population explodes and we further desensitize wild animals to living with humans or better yet contraception for bears. I’d rather not have my taxes raised (again) to help fund these measures that have either failed or come up short on actually helping to control or maintain the population.

I fully understand and respect those that have differing views when it comes to animals and hunting. Believe me, as a resident in “bear country” the last thing I would want is for the species to be eliminated, but I can attest to first hand that the population is off balance. I am a hunter and I support the NJ black bear hunt as the most effective, viable way to help manage the population. I urge those who do support the hunt, the hunters and the Fish & Wildlife Council to speak up and show your support to take back our right to hunt bear on public land.

— Cristina McGannon Jones,

Oxford, NJ