To hunt or not to hunt that is the question?

Article published in Reel and Steel blog.

Right know here in New Jersey there is a big debate on whether there should be a bear hunt or not. They have one tentatively scheduled for December but it isn’t written in stone yet. There are people on both sides of the coin that have some good points. I for one think the need for this hunt is heard every day either on the police scanner, newspaper or by the stories people are telling.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t hear on the police scanner were the police are going to a call for a bear either in someones yard or being hit by a vehicle. Or I read in the paper or online were on has wandered into a school yard etc. My neighbor has told me that one just tore up his garbage the other week. I am sure there are more people that have the same issues with them. Just for those reasons alone a bear hunt is needed. I don’t see it being long before we hear about a child was mauled to death by one.

It sure seems that they have no fear of us at all. They are the largest mammal in New Jersey. The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website has a lot of good info on how to take precautions for avoiding them or attracting them. Also here is the number for reporting black bear damage or nuisance behavior in New Jersey it is toll free 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337.

One of my friends had one that was ripping up his garbage and going after his dog. He called the fish and game and they came and tranquilize the bear to move it away. They told him that it weighed over 400lbs.

We usually take a ride up and over the mountain on Sunday evening on our way to take my mother in law home. It is something we have done for years and until lately we never saw a bear. In the last couple years we have seen a good dozen or so bears. And a lot more deer and other wildlife. I use to think that bear won’t bother you but on one of our recent rides over the mountain we say a huge bear in the wheat field. I stopped to get a picture of it. It was about 100 yards or so away. As I was getting the camera ready and looked back at it this bear was in full stride running at my truck. I almost pooped my pants. Needless to say I didn’t get a pic just a slight heart attack. I read on the NJ Fish & Wildlife website were they say if one should attack don’t play dead fight back! Well I can tell you loud screaming does nothing! I also saw were if you get caught feeding them it is up to $1000.00 penalty.

I don’t like to hunt just to shoot something but this is one that I think needs to be done before it is to late!