New Jersey Black Bear Management

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection

PO Box 400

Trenton N.J. 08625-0400

Black Bears Too Close For Comfort

I am writing in response to: NJ Hunters want the black bear season restored.

I am very concerned that political and personal views from non-sportsmen/women are attempting to influence a decision “showing complete disregard for public safety and F&W biologist who all work so hard to come up with proven, effective management plans.”

I will use an unconventional and non-typical approach to explain my opinion which is based on years of experience and a national view from so many trips across the U.S. including Canada and Alaska it would be impossible to count them, from wilderness experience to how people live and think in America outside of N.J. I fully understand not all people are interested in hunting or don’t even understand much about it but they should not infringe the Rights and Freedoms in this country of those who do, especially when the facts prove this is clearly a logical solution. I’m not going to spend much time covering public safety which should not only be a priority but common sense and self explanatory.

I personally think most people in N.J. (also know nationwide as the garbage state) have become too domesticated and dependent with their local grocery store convenience, fine restaurants and fancy food in a fast paced, casino, night club, video game, computer, cell phone, shop-to-drop rat race life style that they have drifted away from reality forgetting their daily meals come from farms, slaughter houses, butcher shops and commercial fishing boats that kill thousands of tons of living animals per day. They aren’t doing anything wrong, actually they are consuming the vital necessities to life that God put on earth for their very existence, whether domestic or wild game.

Hunting is not about killing….hunting is about wildlife management and preservation.

If it wasn’t for President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter, visionary and outdoorsman who founded the Boone & Crockett Club, black bears would be on the endangered list instead of striving in record numbers. This legendary President helped establish some of America’s first hunting regulations and conservation programs to preserve/save elk, deer, moose, bear, cougar and other wildlife (except the wolf) for future generations to enjoy, appreciate and experience. Later introducing the Pittman-Robertson Act– an excise tax on firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies to finance wildlife, wildlife habitat, conservation, management, promoting safety and educational programs. The sportsmen/women have been responsible for preserving wildlife & wildlife habitat for ALL people to enjoy for over 100 years bearing the brunt of the cost and efforts. Sportsmen/women contribute $4.7 million dollars every day, adding up to $1.7 billion every year for conservation generating more than 1 million jobs in the United States protecting our natural environment, fish & wildlife. The $2.4 billion dollars in annual federal income-tax money generated by hunter’s spending could cover the annual paychecks of 100,000 U.S. Army Troops. Hunters and fisherman provide more than 75% of the annual income of the 50 state conservation agencies. Sportsmen/women are clearly the largest contributors to conservation-paying for programs that benefit ALL Wildlife. Last year alone there was 30% increase in women hunters in America now totaling 3 million plus a 70% increase in women shooters. Hunting and shooting are a historical tradition in this nations rich heritage. Anti-hunters claim that black bear are only hunted as a trophy animal. NOTHING can be further from the truth. Wild game is sought and procured for it’s healthy, organic, low cholesterol, high protein delicious value. BBQ Black Bear Ribs, Sausage, Roast and Cappicola are enjoyed by many Americans. To harvest and properly care for your own organic wild game meal is rewarding and hard earned. I have personally watched black bear chase deer on open land, stalk, prey and pounce into the bedding area of deer attempting to fulfill their voracious appetite entering into fall. Idaho offers a reduced (price) bear tag to elk hunters to help manage over-population. Black bears, like wolves, will congregate around calving elk, killing and consuming the young, leaving the adult cow elk to die. The impact is decimating to the elk herds due to such a low survival calf rate. N.J. having an abundance of whitetail deer may also experience this natural predatory instinct in residential areas in the future. Pennsylvania is now struggling with bear issues since N.J. fails to properly manage the bear problem. A N.J. Girl Scout had a close encounter with a black bear that tried to pull her out of her tent at a campground in the Poconos.

Unlike other states in America, fly-fishermen/women, hikers, campers (with their children) and other law-abiding citizens in N.J. are prohibited from carrying a legal firearm and bear spray for self defense. Restoring the black bear hunt is the most logical, natural and beneficial way to manage the over population of black bears.

The Hunters for the Hungry program donates over 250 million healthy meals of wild game to homeless shelters and soup kitchens in America every year at the full expense and consideration from ethical hunters.

Young hunters have an unlimited ability to learn stewardship, patience, awareness, responsibility, appreciation, good ethics, safety and conservation in the outdoors away from their every day city life while experiencing an enjoyable environment watching fascinating wildlife in it’s natural habitat. I personally believe children who spend more recreational time in the outdoors tend to be more polite, well mannered and get in less trouble. You can see it in their personality and hear it in their voice. Anti-hunters selfishly prevented an excellent documentary from being broadcasted on PBS in N.J. titled: Bears Too Close For Comfort. The producer (a non-hunter) said the hunters are very knowledgeable and passionate towards wildlife while the anti-hunters are narrow-minded seeing only 1 side of the matter, failing to admit the truth. This unfortunately poor decision only deprived our young children from being able to watch and learn from a very educational and informative program. How can people justify protesting a program that would help educate people to understand a dangerous and growing problem in their state….while allowing their children to watch all the trashy and detrimental programming that is on TV these days? The lack of common sense and logic is unbelievable….I guess this can’t be taught in college.

Why are comments pertaining to black bear management being directed to;

The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection

Instead of the professional biologist employed by N.J. Division of Fish & Wildlife?

N.J. anti-gun/anti-hunting laws/politics are not only anti-American but embarrassing to our nation.

Greg Ziolkowski Sr

PO Box 4616 August 5, 2007