Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today proposed allowing hunters in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D to harvest black bears during all deer seasons from September through early-December, as well as during statewide bear seasons.

If approved in April, bear hunters will be able to participate in an archery bear season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 15-28; in WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 29 until Nov. 10; a muzzleloader bear season in WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Oct. 13-20; a firearms bear season in WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, from Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

The Board also proposed retaining the statewide archery bear season, four-day general firearms bear season and extended seasons in all or portions of certain WMUs.

“Pennsylvania’s black bear population is larger and more widely distributed than ever, and bear-human incidents are becoming commonplace, especially in more developed areas,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Continued expansion of residential development into areas occupied by black bears has resulted in more frequent sightings and encounters between people and bears.

“In WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, all with relatively high human population densities, there currently are low bear densities. The Game Commission wants to continue to have a minimum number of bears, and the agency wants hunters to have an opportunity to play an important role in bear population management in these urban/suburban areas.”

The slate of 2012 bear seasons, which must be given final approval in April before taking effect, includes: a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 12-16); a four-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 17, and then continue on Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 19-21; and a concurrent bear/deer season in WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E on Nov. 26-Dec. 1.

Also, a concurrent bear/deer season has been proposed to be held Nov. 28-Dec. 1 in the following:

• - in WMUs 3A and 3C;
• - in portions of WMU 3B, that are East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and
• - in portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters started the 2011 black bear season by taking a preliminary harvest of 1,936 black bears in 52 counties on the first day of the four-day statewide bear season, which was the second season to open on a Saturday.

Archery bear harvest data still is being entered into the Game Commission’s database, and won’t be available for another week.

The 2011 first-day preliminary harvest compares with 1,751 in 2010, which also opened on a Saturday. Other first-day harvest totals were 1,897 in 2009; 1,725 in 2008; 1,005 in 2007; 1,461 in 2006; 2,026 in 2005; 1,573 in 2004; 1,454 in 2003;1,348 2002; 1,812 in 2001; and 1,691 in 2000.

The top 11 bears processed at check stations on Monday all had estimated live weights that exceeded 591 pounds. Jonathan E. Byler, of Ulysses, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that weighed in at 746 pounds (estimated live weight). The bear was taken in Ulysses, Potter County, at 1:45 p.m.

Other large bears (all estimated live weights) included: a 734-pound male, taken by Steven Camasta, of Lakeview, in Salem, Wayne County; a 733-pound male, taken by John J. Hennick, of Cambria, in Bell, Clearfield County; a 714-pound male, taken by Timothy Kiser, of Karns City, in Bradys Bend, Armstrong County; a 706-pound male, taken by Paul Hoyt, of Levittown, in Lehigh, Wayne County; a 629-pound male, taken by Jeremiah M. Bauer, of Hebron, Ohio, in Wharton, Potter County; a 618-pound male, taken by Matthew Hazelton, of Wellsboro, in Delmar, Tioga County; a 611-pound male, taken by Carl Eyler, of Greencastle, in Dublin, Huntingdon County; a 594-pound male, taken by Lindsay King, of Hillsgrove, in Hillsgrove, Sullivan County; a 591-pound male, taken by John Kissling, of Bernville, in Beaver, Columbia County; a 591-pound male, taken by John Vinton, of Waymart, in Canaan, Wayne County.

The preliminary first-day bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 8; WMU 1B, 39; WMU 2A, 2; WMU 2C, 141; WMU 2D, 82; WMU 2E, 42; WMU 2F, 200; WMU 2G, 612; WMU 3A, 160; WMU 3B, 181; WMU 3C, 50; WMU 3D, 146; WMU 4A, 55; WMU 4B, 46; WMU 4C, 41; WMU 4D, 108; and WMU 4E, 23.

The top bear harvest county in the state on the first day of season was Potter with 160, followed by Tioga, 149; Lycoming, 146; McKean, 120; and Clinton, 100.

County harvests by region for the opening day are:

• Northwest: Warren, 83; Forest, 50; Venango, 28; Jefferson, 25; Clarion, 22; Crawford, 10; Butler, 7; Erie, 6; and Mercer, 4.
• Southwest: Somerset, 57; Fayette, 40; Armstrong, 39; Cambria, 23; Westmoreland, 10; and Indiana, 7.
• Northcentral: Potter, 160; Tioga, 149; Lycoming, 146; McKean, 120; Clinton, 100; Clearfield, 93; Elk, 82; Cameron, 65; Centre, 60; and Union, 18.
• Southcentral: Huntingdon, 42; Bedford, 41; Juniata, 19; Mifflin, 17; Blair, 14; Fulton, 7; Franklin, 7; Perry, 7; Snyder, 6; and Cumberland, 1.
• Northeast: Sullivan, 68; Wayne, 61; Pike, 50; Monroe, 31; Bradford, 29; Luzerne, 26; Susquehanna, 19; Carbon, 16; Wyoming, 16; Lackawanna, 13; Columbia, 10; and Northumberland, 1.
• Southeast: Dauphin, 14; Schuylkill, 12; Lebanon, 3; Lehigh, 1; and Northampton, 1.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Oakland, Md. --(Ammoland.com)- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the 2011 black bear hunting season at 9 p.m. today with hunters reporting 65 bears to mandatory check stations in Western Maryland. DNR opened the season Monday, October 24 in Garrett and Allegany counties.

“Maryland’s black bear hunters enjoyed another safe and successful hunting season,” said Harry Spiker, Game Mammal Section Leader for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service. “The cool, mild weather during the first two days kept hunters in the woods and helped DNR meet its management goal in four days.”

The average live weight of the bears taken this year was 154 pounds. Colton Lucas, 12, of Kitzmiller, Md., took the largest bear of the season, a 376 pound male.

The hunt by the numbers:

• 65 bears taken
• 59 from Garrett County, 6 from Allegany County
• 154 lbs. average weight
• 69% of the bears were taken on private land
• 533 hunters participated in the hunt and 3,915 hunters applied for a permit
• 55% of the successful hunters were residents of Garrett and Allegany counties

For more information about Maryland’s black bears visit dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Black bears inhabit the U.S. from the lowland swamps of coastal North Carolina to the tall mountains of northern California.

While many Americans never spot a secretive black bear, more hunters and homeowners are seeing more bears in some areas of America.

Some of these persons say they are seeing too many bears.

Black bear populations are increasing in many regions of the U.S. The proof is growing. South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources recently issued guidelines for dealing with problem bears. Hunters there killed nearly 100 bears during the 2009 hunting season, and cars killed more than 20 in the same period. The state is considering expanding hunting areas and seasons to counter problem bears and rising citizen complaints.

Down in Florida, bear numbers are on the upswing and the state is working on a bear management plan. Bears are also being noted in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and other areas where the bruins have been missing —or questionable— for decades. Louisiana brought in black bears from Minnesota and released them during the 1960s. Texas has seen bear numbers climb and now has a black bear management plan that runs through 2015.

Black bears have also been attacking humans from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Washington State. Some of those attacks have been deadly. Black bears are simply more numerous and widespread than other bear species, so the chances of being attacked by a black bear are higher. Black bears are also more frequently encountered around homes because they come close in search of food, such as the seeds or suet in bird feeders. Yet, grizzly attacks seem to always receive the national media attention.

If hunters seek bears and bear hunting tags, they should visit states and regions where bears are most bountiful. Much of the preferred bear habitat and hunting areas in the U.S. are along the spines of the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. The coastal northwest regions and Alaska also have many black bears—and one Alaskan carrier that can help you put a black bear in your sights is Ninilchik charters at www.ninilchik.com. In many states, bear hunting licenses are sold over the counter. Montana is one state where you will have to take —and pass— a test to distinguish between black bears and grizzlies before you can hunt.

The work of anti-hunting groups who opposed the use of bait and/or hounds to hunt bears in past years can also be blamed —or thanked— for increased bear populations that threaten humans.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Among the more desperate actions taken by anti-hunting groups lately is the petition, filed by Big Wildlife and NoBearHuntNV, to grant black bears in Nevada federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Nevada opened its first bear season in August of this year. No more than 20 bears (a maximum of six females) may be taken during the season, which ends in December, unless the six-female quota is reached earlier. At that point, the hunt will end regardless of the total number of bears taken. (Three females and five males have been taken thus far.)

The wildlife commission’s vote to hold the hunt was 7-1, and the only dissenter felt the quota was too low.

Between 300 and 400 bears inhabit the state, mostly in the Carson Range near Lake Tahoe, and some in the Pine Nut, Wassuk and Sweetwater mountains. The bear population is growing at about 16 percent annually.

Nearly 1,300 people applied for the 45 tags the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) made available, which generated $4,500 for the state’s wildlife conservation work. Revenue for conservation that comes from hunters is invariably a fact anti-hunters don’t mention.

NoBearHuntNV first tried a lawsuit to stop the hunt, holding the commission gave insufficient notice of a public hearing and that property values near the hunt area could be adversely affected, among other alleged failings. A state judge rejected the suit.

On September 24th, the wildlife commission voted unanimously to make the bear season permanent. This will give the NDOW the freedom to review the bear season each year and adjust the harvest quota as needed.

“It could go up or it could go down,” said NDOW’s Chris Healy.

So, having lost the lawsuit, and having science working against them, Big Wildlife and NoBearHuntNV filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to have the bears in the area classified as a distinct population under the Endangered Species Act.

“It’s not up to us, but we just don’t think it will happen,” said Healy. “When we show our 15 years of data, I think it will prove this population goes across the California-Nevada border. A dotted line on a map doesn’t make a distinct population.”

So, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service struggles to review yet another spurious petition based on emotion rather than science, the two petitioners continue to put out ridiculous statements like this one, where Big Wildlife seeks to malign sportsmen who speak up for their hunting rights:

“Also likely fuelling the issue is pressure from hunters eager for the thrill of the ‘sport’ as well as lucrative opportunities to sell bear products such as gall bladder bile and paws on the Black Market. For this reason, hunters and poachers desperately grasp for reasons to convince the State that culling the bear population is necessary.”

Absurd as this statement is, it is not exactly new for anti-hunters to label all hunters as criminals.

The fact that it’s totally untrue doesn’t matter to them. Nor does it matter their claim that black bears in Nevada need Federal protection is baseless. They know it is. All they are trying to do is demonize hunters. It is their basic fundraising tactic.

Let’s hope those reviewing this petition see these two groups for what they are: radical anti-hunters with no regard for the truth, or for the science of wildlife management.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- Hunters interested in learning the age of the bear they harvested during the 2010 seasons can log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

To access the database providing this information, click on “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then click on “Hunting,” scroll down and click on “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing, and then scroll down and click on “Black Bear Age Data” in the “Reference” listing.

“As a cost-cutting measure, the Game Commission no longer mails a certificate and letter to successful bear hunters notifying them of their bear’s age,” said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director.

“To maintain this valued customer service, however, we provide hunters with a certificate at the check station when their bear is processed, and information about how and when they can find the age data, which is determined by examining a tooth from the bear that is extracted as part of the check station processing, on our website.”

Ages are available only for bears from which a tooth was pulled. To access the data and learn the age of their bear, a hunter will need to have their legal seal number from the check station certificate. If the hunter no longer has the seal number, age data also is provided in charts broken down by county of harvest.

In 2010, Pennsylvania’s 161,119 licensed bear hunters took 3,090 bears, which is the state’s fifth highest harvest recorded in Pennsylvania. The record bear harvest of 4,164 was set in 2005.

David Price, of Cresco, Monroe County, harvested the largest bear taken during all bear seasons, which he took using a bow and arrow. The male bear weighing an estimated 875 pounds.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- With 224 bears taken during the first-ever statewide, five-day archery bear season, and 2,815 bears taken during the restructured three-day bear season, which included a Saturday-opener, Pennsylvania Game Commission preliminary harvest reports show that bear hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,039 bears in 53 counties.

Official total bear harvest figures won’t be available until early 2011, after a detailed review of each harvest report is completed.

In the 2005 bear season, hunters harvested a record 4,164 bears. Other recent bear harvests include: 3,512 in 2009; 3,460 in 2008; 2,362 in 2007; 3,124 in 2006; 2,977 in 2004; 3,000 in 2003; 2,686 in 2002; 3,063 in 2001; 3,075 in 2000; 1,740 in 1999; and 2,598 in 1998.

For the first time, Game Commission employees working to gather data at the bear check stations were using new technology to record harvest information. This new approach was designed to improve the processing of bears so that hunters could get in and out of check stations quickly and improve accuracy in data collection. Despite this improvement in timely and accurate processing, the new system did lead to a delay in the release of harvest results.

“While we recognize there is enormous public interest in bear harvest information, our primary responsibility is to accommodate successful hunters and to record harvest information accurately and efficiently,” said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. “The current number and distribution of bear check stations put virtually every successful hunter within a one-hour drive of a check station.

“We also are striving to embrace technological efficiencies for data capture and to minimize processing times. In that regard, we are headed in the right direction, as the lines at bear check stations moved much quicker this year for the hunters. We’re already looking at ways to improve the process and expedite the release of harvest data next year.”

DuBrock noted that, according to the harvest data, the day-by-day archery bear harvest results are as follows: 90 bears harvested on Nov. 15; 32 on Nov. 16; 26 on Nov. 17; 23 on Nov. 18; and 53 on Nov. 19.

For the three-day general bear season, 1,751 bears were harvested on Nov. 20; 793 on Nov. 22; and 271 on Nov. 23. In 2005, when the record bear harvest of 4,164 bears was set, hunters harvested 2,026 bears on the opening of day of the three-day season. Other first-day preliminary harvests for three-day statewide seasons were: 1,897 in 2009; 1,725 in 2008; 1,005 in 2007; 1,461 in 2006; 1,573 in 2004; 1,454 in 2003;1,348 2002; 1,812 in 2001; and 1,691 in 2000.

The preliminary bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit (with 2009 figures in parentheses) were: WMU 1A, 11 (8); WMU 1B, 42 (36); WMU 2A, 1 (0); WMU 2C, 307 (247); WMU 2D, 145 (128); WMU 2E, 93 (77); WMU 2F, 199 (282); WMU 2G, 892 (1,027); WMU 3A, 198 (255); WMU 3B, 232 (292); WMU 3C, 108 (73); WMU 3D, 256 (276); WMU 4A, 135 (125); WMU 4B, 53 (43); WMU 4C, 90 (141); WMU 4D, 244 (442); WMU 4E, 31 (58); and WMU 5C, 2 (1).

The top five bear harvest counties this year, once again, all come from the Northcentral Region. The top county was Clinton, with 248 (295 in 2009); followed by: Lycoming, 228 (280); Tioga, 183 (217); Clearfield, 182 (135); and Potter 148 (181).

Preliminary county harvests by region (with 2009 figures in parentheses) are:

• Northwest: Venango, 56 (33); Warren, 54 (101); Clarion, 47 (48); Forest, 47 (60); Jefferson, 33 (59); Butler, 12 (13); Crawford, 10 (8); Erie, 3 (0); and Mercer, 2 (3).
• Southwest: Fayette, 101 (72); Somerset, 83 (72); Westmoreland, 62 (65); Armstrong, 56 (44); Indiana, 42 (33); and Cambria, 18 (19).
• Northcentral: Clinton, 248 (295); Lycoming, 228 (280); Tioga, 183 (217); Clearfield, 182 (135); Potter 148 (181); Cameron, 138 (214); Centre, 118 (148); McKean, 92 (142); Elk, 89 (121); and Union, 46 (51).
• Southcentral: Huntingdon, 95 (110); Bedford, 84 (65); Mifflin, 41 (64); Blair, 31 (44); Juniata, 19 (33); Snyder, 19 (23); Perry, 17 (8); Fulton, 11 (16); Franklin, 8 (5); Cumberland, 1 (0).
• Northeast: Pike, 122 (117); Bradford, 38 (74); Monroe, 57 (77); Sullivan, 57 (68); Carbon, 35 (66); Luzerne, 58 (56); Wayne, 82 (49); Wyoming, 22 (44); Lackawanna, 16 (32); Susquehanna, 41 (30); Columbia, 20 (27); Northumberland, 3 (6); and Montour, 1 (1).
• Southeast: Schuylkill, 27 (37); Dauphin, 20 (24); Lebanon, 7 (8); Berks, 2 (7); and Northampton, 7 (5).

According to preliminary reports, the top 10 legal bears processed at check stations for the two bear seasons all had actual or estimated live weights that exceeded 615 pounds, and 37 bears weighing 500 pounds or more were legally harvested.

David Price, of Cresco, Monroe County, harvested the largest bear taken during all bear seasons, which he took using a bow and arrow. The male bear weighing an estimated 875 pounds was taken in WMU 3D, Monroe County, Middle Smithfield Township, at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

While many have reported this as a “record bear,” for Pennsylvania’s official Big Game Records, the Game Commission only recognizes skull measurements based on Boone & Crockett scoring methods. Although weights are not included in the Game Commission’s Big Game Records tabulations, this was the heaviest bear ever harvested in Pennsylvania.

Randy Chabol, of Somerset, Somerset County, harvested the largest bear during the regular three-day season, which was a male that had an estimated live weight of 772 pounds. The bear was taken in WMU 2C, Somerset County, Larimer Township, at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 20.

Rounding out the top 10 were: a 694-pound male (actual live weight) taken in WMU 2D, Indiana County, Armstrong Township, by Christopher Schultheis, of Kittanning, at 10 a.m. on Nov. 20; a 679-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 2C, Indiana County, West Wheatfield Township, by Ronald Chero, of Homer City, at 3 p.m., on Nov. 23; a 675-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 3D, Pike County, Blooming Grove Township, by Brett Treichler, of Kutztown, at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 20; a 666-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 2G, Centre County, Burnside Township, by David Mihalik, of Howard, at 4 p.m. on Nov. 20; a 656-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 3B, Sullivan County, Forks Township, by George Mosier III, of New Albany, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22; a 645-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 3C, Wayne County, Clinton Township, by Diane Booths, of Lake Ariel, at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 20; a 616-pound male (estimated live weight) also taken in WMU 3C, Wayne County, Buckingham Township, by Mark Soden, of Honesdale, at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 20; and a 616-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in WMU 3D, Pike County, Porter Township, by David Mohn, of Robesonia, at 7:10 a.m. on Nov. 20.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin today rejected a request for a stay of a scheduled Northwest New Jersey bear hunt, which is authorized under the State’s recently adopted Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP).

The Commissioner, responding to a Nov. 17 written request by the Animal Protection League of New Jersey and the Bear Education and Resource Group, declined to postpone an upcoming six-day hunt scheduled for a seven-county region, including parts of Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic, Morris, Somerset and Bergen counties, that is scheduled to start Dec 6.

“The facts are clear, we have an overpopulation of black bears in New Jersey, and we must address that issue,” said Commissioner Martin. “A regulated black bear hunt is one important and necessary tool to deal with the growing number of bears, as part of the State’s overall, comprehensive approach to managing its black bear population.”

The most recent black bear population estimate for the portion of New Jersey north of Interstate 80 is approximately 3,400 animals, which is a marked rise from less than 500 in the mid-1990s. Bears also have been reported in all 21 counties, with a corresponding rise in bear complaints.

Commissioner Martin, in a letter sent today to the two groups that appealed the hunt, also confirmed the accuracy of the DEP’s data on bear complaints and bear-human encounters caused by the increasing black bear population, despite contrary public claims of inflated numbers made by Rutgers chemistry professor Edward Tavss.

A thorough review of bear complaints for 2008 and 2009 by the DEP’s Office of Audit showed virtually no duplication of complaint reports and verified the accuracy of the information provided in the Black Bear Management Policy, said Commissioner Martin. The audit showed that less than 1 percent of about 3,000 bear complaints registered by DEP in each of those years may have resulted from duplication of information.

“I have reviewed your request and I find that it does not provide any basis to stay the hunt, nor does it raise any legitimate questions about the inclusion of a black bear hunt in the State’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy,” wrote Commissioner Martin. “Professor Tavss’ allegations challenging the accuracy of the Department’s black bear incident data are unfounded and, quite simply, wrong.”

The Commissioner stressed the DEP is gathering more and better information on black bears, providing a valuable resource that contributes to the Department’s black bear management efforts.

Commissioner Martin denied the request to stay the hunt after consulting with New Jersey Fish and Game Council Acting Chairwoman Jeanette Vreeland, who also was petitioned to postpone the hunt. Vreeland concurred with the Commissioner, but noted a vote of the full Council, which adopted the CBBMP in July, is required to formalize her position. A telephone meeting of the Council soon will be held to deal with that issue, Vreeland said.

The Fish and Game Council in July adopted a comprehensive policy that includes a black bear hunt in North Jersey for the first time since 2005, to deal with an overpopulation of bears and problems they are causing, especially in northern parts of the State.

The Fish and Game Council cited increasing damage to personal property and threats to public safety as key reasons for the policy. Since the 1980s, New Jersey’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding southward and eastward from forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. There have been increased sightings of bears this year in suburban and urban areas, where black bears previously were not encountered.

The CBBMP offers a common sense mix of bear management tools that, in addition to a hunt, includes public education, research, bear habitat analysis and protection, non-lethal bear management techniques and enhanced efforts to keep human food sources, especially household trash, away from bears to limit bear-human encounters.

The black bear hunt is scheduled to run concurrent with the six-day firearm deer hunting season in portions of a 1,000 square-mile area north of Route 78 and west of Route 287.

• To view the Nov. 17 letter and Commissioner Martin’s Nov. 22 response, visit:

  http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm

• To review the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm
• For tips on proper garbage management and coexisting with bears, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts_avoid.htm

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- I’ve received a lot of feedback on the “50 Reasons a Black Bear Hunt is Needed in NJ” action alert that was posted earlier.

It’s good to see that people find the issue engaging.

There are a number or reasons that justify the need for a bear hunt in New Jersey. Of course, public safety is paramount. The fact that black bears have a history of fatal attacks is evidence that it is an aspect of their nature that we can’t ignore, regardless of the frequency of attacks or where in North America they are reported to have occurred.

There are any numbers of causes for a black bear to attack; environmental, physical, bio/chemical, territorial or some other reason. There doesn’t appear to be answer we can rely on, any more than why humans attack other humans. Bears are wild creatures and this lends itself to an element of unpredictability.

Perhaps the fact that NJ had less than 100 bears in the 1970s and only a few hundred in the early 1990s has helped to keep a safe distance between people and bears. Today the estimate is nearly 3500 bears, most of which are in the northwest portion of the state. Bears have been seen in all 21 NJ counties. The number of reported incidents that threaten human safety has doubled since 2005. Bears are breaking into homes, causing school lockdowns, killing pets, killing livestock, have been found swimming in backyard pools and one even scattered a parade in northern NJ. There have even been reports of black bears attacking a few people this year. The details of these encounters have been reported in the press.

The point is that a bear hunt will HELP to prevent a NJ resident from being added to the Fatal Attack List by reducing the bear population and freeing up space for bears to recede into the wilds. Keep in mind that although it is natural for even habituated bears to avoid humans there have been instances of attacks on humans by bears that were regarded as habituated or “nuisance” bears.

For those of you who want to read more about the need for a bear hunt from a conservation perspective I welcome you read an article on my blog. Just click on the link that follows:

http://anthonypmaurosr.webs.com/apps/blog/show/5318932-a-bear-hunt-in-nj-is-a-good-thing

Some of you requested the link I used as source. I invite you to look at the link and then scroll to the very bottom to read the sources that are referenced. While you’re at the site, please note that bear attacks have increased dramatically during the past 20 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America

Thanks

JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

New Jersey Bear Conflicts

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- New Jersey is primed to hold its first black bear hunt in years.

Here is a short list of reasons NJ needs to hold this pro conservation bear hunt.

1. Public safety

Fatal black bear attacks in North America

Name, Age at Death, Gender

2. Ester Schwimmer, 5 months, female
3. Brent Kandra, 24, male
4. Glenda Ann Bradley, 50, female
5. Mary Beth Miller, 24, female
6. Kyle Harry, 18, male
7. Adelia Maestras Trujillo, 93, female
8. Christopher Bayduza, 31, male
9. Maurice Malenfant, 77, male
10. Merlyn Carter, 71, male
11. Harvey Robinson, 69, male
12. Jacqueline Perry, 30, female
13. Elora Petrasek, 6, female
14. Samuel Evan Ives, 11, male
15. Robin Kochorek, 31, female
16. Cecile Lavoie, 70, female
17. Donna Munson, 74, female
18. Kelly Ann Walz, 37, female
19. James Waddell, 12, male
20. Raymond Jakubauskas, 32, male;
21. Carola Frehe, 48, female
22. Sebastien Lauzier, 20, male
23. Darcy Staver, 33, female
24. Colin McClelland, 24, male
25. Sevend “Sven” Satre, 53, male
26. Raymond Kitchen, 56, male
27. Patti McConnell, 37, female
28. David Anderson, 12, male
29. Melvin Rudd, 55, male
30. Lee Randal Morris, 44, male;
31. Carol Marshall, 24, female
32. John Richardson, 31, male
33. Victoria Valdez, 4, female
34. George Halfkenny, 16, male
35. Mark Halfkenny, 12, male
36. Billy Rhindress, 15, male
37. Phyllis Tremper, 3, female
38. Robert Huckins, 18, male
39. Barbara Coates, 7, female
40. Carl Herrick, 37, male
41. Carol Ann Pomeranky, 3, female
42. Emerson Joyce, 60, male
43. Grant Taylor, 11, male
44. George Langley, 55, male,
45. James Virtue, 68, male
46. Mary Porterfield, 3, female
47. Wilie Portfield, 5, male
48. Henry Porterfield, 7, male
49. Laird, 1, ?
50. John Robinson, ?, male

\Please help prevent a fatal black bear attack in New Jersey. Help keep New Jersey’s record at zero fatalities. Support the bear hunt. A hunt is both responsible, necessary and supported by research. It’s a matter of public safety. Call the Governor at 609-292-6000 and thank him for his leadership in supporting a hunt.
(source for black bear fatalities: Wikipedia)

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Bear Hunter Becky Brensinger

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that the black bear permit lottery application period is now open and closes on October 30.

Applicants must have a current, valid NJ firearm hunting license to apply. Hunters who have not yet completed a Bear Hunting Education Seminar can apply for a permit but must have completed a seminar in order to claim an awarded permit or purchase an over-the-counter leftover permit.

For Bear Hunting Education Seminar information visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/bearseminarinfo.htm .

Application for permits can be made online at http://www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ or at license agents. There is a $2.00 non-refundable permit application processing fee. Applications for all permits can be reviewed, and edited if wanted, on the license website. Once the permit application period closes the application cannot be changed. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the application was made for the correct area.

The award notification and permit pickup period for black bear permits begins the week of November 15, 2010. Black bear permits awarded in the lottery will be held in reserve until the end of the season, December 11, 2010. Over-the-counter issuance of leftover permits begins on Monday, November 22 at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until the season ends or the permit quota is reached.

All permit issuances are final, with no exceptions.

For more information on the permit application and over-the-counter issuing process visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/lottery_info10.htm on the division’s website. For information on the bear season, as well as a zone map and descriptions, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearseas10.htm , also on the division’s site.

PA Game Commission Offers Advice On Avoiding Bear Conflicts

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- With summer quickly slipping by, many Pennsylvanians may have forgotten about problems caused by black bears in the spring, when nuisance bear activity typically peaks. However, black bear activity also tends to increase during the fall, and Pennsylvania Game Commission officials remind homeowners that steps taken now can minimize problems with bears during the next few weeks and months.

Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist, noted that, as fall progresses, bears will begin to increase their food intake to prepare for the upcoming denning season, which begins in mid- to late-November. For some bears, the search for food may lead them closer to people or homes.

Ternent offered suggestions on how to reduce the likelihood that your property will attract bruins and how to best react when a bear is encountered.

“Bear activity can increase during the fall as bears try to consume as many calories as possible from any source they can find in preparation for denning,” Ternent said. “As a result, sightings of bears can increase, particularly if natural nut and berry crops are below average.

“While Pennsylvania bears are mostly timid animals that would sooner run than confront people, residents should know a few things about how to react if they encounter a bear, or better yet, how to avoid an encounter altogether by reducing the likelihood of attracting bears in the first place.”

Ternent stressed there are no known records of a free-ranging Pennsylvania black bear killing a human, and there have been fewer than 25 reported injuries resulting from black bear encounters during the past 10 years in the state. However, deaths caused by black bears have occurred elsewhere in North America. Pennsylvania’s bear population currently is estimated at 17,000 animals, and reports of problems because people failed to keep food away from bears are not uncommon.

“When bears become habituated to getting food from people, it can lead to conflicts, property damage and the possibility of injury or eventual destruction of the bear,” Ternent said. “Feeding wildlife, whether the activity is intended for birds or deer, can draw bears into an area. Once bears become habituated to an area where they find food, they will continue to return, which is when the bear can become a real problem for homeowners and neighbors.”

“Even more disturbing are the reports we receive about people intentionally feeding bears to make them more visible for viewing or photographing.”

Since March 2003, it has been illegal to intentionally feed bears in Pennsylvania. Unintentional feeding of bears which results in nuisance bear activity also can result in a written warning that, if ignored, may lead to a citation and fine.

“We recognize that people enjoy viewing wildlife, and we are not attempting to impact that activity,” Ternent said. “But, all too often, complaints about bears can be traced back to intentional or unintentional feeding. To protect the public, as well as bears, we need to avoid the dangers of conditioning bears to finding food around homes. It would be irresponsible to do otherwise.”

Ternent listed five recommendations to reduce the chances of having a close encounter with a black bear on a homeowner’s property:

• Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels or deer, may attract bears. Reconsider putting squash, pumpkins, corn stalks or other Halloween or holiday decorations outside that also may attract bears. Even bird feeders can become “bear magnets.” Tips for how to safely feed birds for those in prime bear areas include: restrict feeding season to when bears hibernate, which is primarily from late November through late March; avoid foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night or suspend them from high crosswires; and temporarily remove feeders for two weeks if visited by a bear. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
• Keep it clean. Don’t place garbage outside until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back for animals to eat; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly. If you feed pets outdoors, consider placing food dishes inside overnight.
• Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. If the bear won’t leave, slowly retreat and call the nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department for assistance. Children should understand not to run, approach or hide from a bear that wanders into the yard, but, instead, to walk slowly back to the house.
• Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area’s appeal to bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed (chained or locked shut).
• Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don’t do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter. If bears have been sighted near your home, it is a good practice to turn on a light and check the backyard before taking pets out at night.

“Ideally, we want bears to pass by residential areas without finding a food reward that would cause them to return and become a problem,” Ternent said. “Capturing and moving bears that have become habituated to humans is costly and sometimes ineffective because they can return or continue the same unwanted behavior where released. That is why wildlife agencies tell people that a ‘fed bear is a dead bear.’”

Ternent noted that although bears are no strangers to Pennsylvanians, bears are misunderstood by many.

“Bears should not be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless, but they do need to be respected,” Ternent said.

He also advised:

• Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving.
• Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while quietly talking. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not turn and run; rapid movement may be perceived as danger to a bear that is already feeling threatened. Avoid blocking the bear’s only escape route and try to move away from any cubs you see or hear. Do not attempt to climb a tree. A female bear can falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree.
• Pay Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness or discomfort with your presence, such as pacing, swinging its head, or popping its jaws, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a chase and you cannot outrun a bear. Bears that appear to be stalking should be confronted and made aware of your willingness to defend by waving your arms and yelling while you continue to back away.
• Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands.

“Learning about bears and being aware of their habits is a responsibility that comes with living in rural Pennsylvania or recreating in the outdoors,” Ternent said.

Intelligent and curious, black bears are heavy and have short, powerful legs. Adults usually weigh from 200 to 600 pounds, with rare individuals weighing up to 800 pounds. An adult male normally weighs more than an adult female, sometimes twice as much.

Bears may be on the move at anytime, but they’re usually most active during evening and morning hours. Bears are omnivorous, eating almost anything from berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts, or even grass to table scraps, carrion, honey and insects.

More information on black bears is available on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by putting your cursor over “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then clicking on “Hunting” from the drop-down menu listing and then clicking on the “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing.

Also, a brochure on living with black bears can be obtained by putting your cursor over “Self-Help” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then putting your cursor on “Your Property and Wildlife” from the drop-down menu listing and then clicking on “Living with Black Bear” in next drop-down menu listing.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, MD --(Ammoland.com)- If you haven’t applied but intended to, you need to apply online by 11:59 p.m. this coming Wednesday, Septembe 1, 2010. (That’s almost midnight.)

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications to participate in this year’s lottery for black bear hunting permits on until Wednesday evening. Applications issued will be valid for this year’s black bear hunting season, which will take place October 25 through October 30.

“This year’s hunt will follow the same successful model we’ve used for the previous bear hunting seasons,” said Pete Jayne, Associate Director for Game Management for DNR.

The application process will follow the Preference Point System for bear hunting permit applications that DNR implemented in 2007. Hunters who apply this year will receive one entry in the random drawing as well as one additional entry for each past consecutive year they have applied. Therefore, those hunters who applied unsuccessfully in 2007, 2008 and 2009 will receive four entries in the drawing when they apply this year.

The following rules also apply:

• Applicants must apply each year to retain preference points. If an applicant skips a year, all preference points will be forfeited.
• Once an applicant is selected to receive a bear hunting permit in the random drawing, all preference points will be forfeited.
• If an applicant is selected in the random drawing, but forfeits the permit, all preference points will be forfeited.
• Applicants will have the opportunity to purchase a preference point. This will allow those hunters who cannot hunt in 2010 the opportunity to retain their preference points for use in future drawings.

DNR will issue 260 bear hunting permits with a quota of 65-90 bears and will close the hunt when the quota is reached. The opportunity to hunt black bears in Maryland remains limited to Garrett and Allegany counties.

Online applications for the Maryland Black Bear Lottery are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. (almost midnight) on Wednesday, September 1.

To apply, a $15 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted via credit card, check, or money order. All payments must be received by 12 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Checks and money orders should be made payable to MDDNR Black Bear and mailed to MDDNR Black Bear, P.O. Box 360, Frostburg, MD 21532.

Only one application per person will be accepted. Duplicate applications will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all fees.

New Jersey Black Bears

National Rifle Association

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- Last week, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council unanimously approved a bear management policy that includes a six day bear hunt, beginning December 6 2010.

Acting Department of Environment Commissioner Bob Martin has signed off on the policy, thereby opening up the first bear hunt in New Jersey since 2005.

Of course, Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the anti-hunting, Humane Society of the United States issued a statement calling the Black Bear Management Policy a political maneuver with no compelling social or biological reason for repealing the ban.

Mr. Pacelle fails to mention how in 2005 former Governor Jon Corzine (D) chose to disregard Fish and Game Council’s advice and imposed the bear hunting ban for political reasons. Governor Corzine then stood by in 2007 and tacitly allowed a bill to pass out of an Assembly Committee designed to remove sportsmen from the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, replacing them with environmental activists.

Unfortunately for Mr. Pacelle, Commissioner Bob Martin knows that wildlife policy should not be rooted in politics or emotion, but sound science and stated that,“The council incorporated the latest research and science into its proposed black bear management policy…,” contradicting Mr. Pacelle’s claim.

A public hearing on the plan will be held May 11 in Trenton and final approval should come from the state following a 60 day public comment period, beginning April 19.

NRA-ILA will notify you on AmmoLand.com once a time and location in Trenton has been set.

New Jersey Black Bear Distribution

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)-  New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Bob Martin today approved the New Jersey Fish and Game Council’s 2010 Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy.

“The Council incorporated the latest research and science into its proposed black bear management policy that shows the population is sustainable and growing,” Acting Commissioner Martin said. “This growth coincides with an increase in serious bear incidents supporting the need for population control in addition to continued nonlethal management tools including public education and outreach.”

The DEP also supports legislation that would increase penalties for people who feed black bears and draw the animals into populated areas.

The most recent black bear population estimate for the portion of New Jersey north of I-80 is approximately 3,400 based on a 2009 DNA study by East Stroudsburg University. The bear population in this area has increased to its current level from an estimate of 500 bears in 1992.

Category I bear incidents, involving black bears exhibiting behavior that is an immediate threat to human safety, or those causing agricultural damage to farmland or property damage over $500, have increased 96 percent from 2006 to 2009. Category I, II and III incidents combined have increased by 130 percent during the same time period.

The Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy’s integrated approach to managing black bears includes research and monitoring, non-lethal and lethal control of problem bears, public education on coexisting with bears, law enforcement to reduce conflicts between bears and people, and a controlled hunt.

Over the past 10 years, bear education programs have been presented by the DEP to more than 100,000 people, and more than 3 million pieces of bear education literature have been distributed. This year 31 bear education programs and outreach efforts have been conducted with an additional 21 programs scheduled.

DEP Conservation Officers inspected more than 4,600 residential properties in high bear incident areas and found 98 percent were in compliance with black bear garbage management guidelines. This spring, Conservation Officers will focus enforcement efforts and education outreach on commercial properties in high bear incident areas.

In 2005, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the Council may authorize a black bear hunt only if a hunt is consistent with a comprehensive black bear management policy developed by the Council and approved by the Commissioner. In 2007, the New Jersey Appellate Division required that any comprehensive black bear management policy be adopted in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Procedure Act.

The proposed plan will now be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for publication in the April 19 New Jersey Register. Following publication, the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed policy in writing, and will also have the opportunity to comment during a public hearing on May 11 at 6 p.m., New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State St., Trenton, NJ 08625.

To review the Fish and Game Council’s proposed Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearpolicy10.htm

JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earth’s resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Bear Education and Resource Group who's website if filled with pictures of warm fuzzy bears continues to endanger NJ residents with misleading advice on the growing black bear population.

Trenton, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- Anti hunting minority interest group Bear Education and Resource Group ( BEAR )  is suing the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, two days after the council voted to authorize the state’s first black bear hunt in five years.

BEAR claims to be a community-based, non-profit, educational organization, established in 2001 to “provide factual information to the public about black bears”, that is anti hunting speak for disseminate false information to get their way.  As is typical for these types of fringe groups they are completely against science based wildlife management, like that practiced by the NJ Fish & Game managers, and are in favor of letting the bears “manage themselves”.

They advocate measures to avoid human-bear conflicts, to provide advice regarding specific black bear situations, and to oppose the hunting of black bears, the primary bear management tool used throughout the USA. Apparently NJ bears are different and this time-tested technique will not work in New Jersey.

They also believe that the bear problem can be solved through the exclusive use of bear resistant garbage cans.  This is not just funny but insulting. Anyone who lives in bear country knows that bears can tear open cars and buildings if they want what is inside.

They also are demanding that enforcement of NJ trash laws be handled by NJ Fish and Game officers.  Isn’t enforcement of trash laws the responsibilities of local police and municipalities?

BEAR recommends you protect yourself from bears with water guns & umbrellas ..!!?

But it gets worse:
In a paper released by Bear Education and Resource Group entailed What do I do if I see a bear? They list the following things as the recommended tools to scare bears away:

• Supersoakers
• Water guns
• Air horns
• Rocks
• Pepper spray
• Pop-open umbrellas

We are not making this up!!?

It gets even worse. When answering the question: Do black bears pose any danger to me or my children? they say “that black bears are not aggressive”.  That is just wrong and BEAR clearly has no regard for the well being of our children or humans in general and are willing to put people at risk to promote their twisted agenda.

Among their other deceitful tricks is they have been asking all their supporters to vote in a poll on NJ bears to load the vote in their favor.

Fortunately they have no problem exposing their real agenda which is “promote tolerance of our bear neighbors, and foster peaceful coexistence between bears and people”

This is he same logic that they are now using to justify suing the NJDEP for voting to manage bears correctly through sound wildlife management techniques.

But New Jersey residents are much smarter and have more common sense than the Bear Education and Resource Group gives you credit for.  Read their info for fun but do not be foolish enough to follow it or risk your life and those of your children.

Be safe and support science based management of all wildlife and the environment.  Do not be swayed by the pictures of cuddly bears or the wish full thinking of feel good wildlife management.

New Jersey Black Bears

New Jersey Fish and Game

TRENTON, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Bob Martin released the following statement on the New Jersey Fish and Game Council’s vote to advance its proposed Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy:

“In recent weeks, I have met with Council members to discuss a range of black bear issues and the need for a multi-faceted management strategy that is based on solid science and the latest research. I intend to scrutinize this proposed policy to make sure it provides the best possible solutions to the considerable challenge of managing this valued wildlife resource in the nation’s most densely populated state.”

A New Jersey Superior Court ruling in 2007 requires the DEP Commissioner to approve the Council’s policy before it is submitted for adoption in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Procedure Act.

The Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy’s integrated approach to managing black bears includes research and monitoring, non-lethal and lethal control of problem bears, public education on coexisting with bears, law enforcement to reduce conflicts between bears and people, and a controlled
hunt.

To review the Fish and Game Council’s proposed Comprehensive
Black BearManagement Policy, visit: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearpolicy10.htm

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is proposing a number of changes to the 2010 black bear hunting regulations in an effort to better manage the state’s burgeoning bear population, which has expanded well beyond its traditional range and has quadrupled in the last 25 years to upwards of 38,000 animals.

The regulatory changes include raising the annual harvest quota, which is currently set at only 1,700 bears, and expanding existing bear hunting zones to include portions of Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Modoc and Lassen Counties. These changes will help reduce private property damage and other human-bear conflicts, which have increased significantly in recent decades, while providing for expanded bear hunting opportunity for the public.

CDFG is also proposing to eliminate a prohibition on the use of Global Position Systems (GPS) to locate hounds used to tree bears. Hounds may become lost in the woods during hunting season, often for days at a time, or may be injured or killed by vehicles. Lifting the prohibition on GPS would help to ensure the safety of the dogs while allowing hunters to keep their dogs away from private property or other restricted areas.

“GPS dog recovery solutions are already legal for pets and dogs used for bird hunting in California, and legal for hounds in dozens of other states, provinces, and countries,” said Josh Brones, Legislative Analyst for California Houndsmen for Conservation. “It’s time that California’s hounds enjoy the same welfare and protection.”

Current sales of bear hunting tags generate about $900,000 in funding for bear-related research and other wildlife conservation activities. While the state’s ongoing budget crisis has limited conservation efforts in some areas, bear tag monies have remained a reliable but critical source of funding to conserve bear populations and protect wildlife habitat.

In 2008, the success rate for bear hunters averaged about 8%, with many hunters spending days or even weeks in the field without actually harvesting a bear. For those lucky enough to harvest one, bear meat is often shared with friends and family during holidays and other special occasions.

“The regulatory package put forward by Fish and Game is based in sound science, and would help to maintain healthy black bear populations over the long-term,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance.

The California Fish and Game Commission accepted public comment on the bear hunting regulations at its February 4th meeting in Sacramento, and will make a final decision on the proposed regulatory package in April.

California Houndsmen for Conservation

The California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the use of hounds as both a time-honored piece of American culture and a sound means of wildlife management. For more information, visit www.californiahoundsmen.com.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting our hunting heritage and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

Pennsylvania Black Bears

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- With an additional 342 bears taken during the extended bear season that was open last week in certain parts of the state, Pennsylvania Game Commission preliminary harvest reports accounted for 3,499 bears, which moves this year’s harvest into second place in state bear harvests.

Updated preliminary results also now show that the two-day archery bear season resulted in a harvest of 114, and the statewide three-day season resulted in a harvest of 3,043.

Official total bear harvest figures for all three seasons won’t be available until early 2010, after a detailed review of each harvest report is completed.

In the 2005 bear season, hunters harvested a record 4,164 bears. Other recent bear harvests include: 2,598 in 1998; 1,740 in 1999; 3,075 in 2000; 3,063 in 2001; 2,686 in 2002; 3,000 in 2003; 2,977 in 2004; 3,124 in 2006; 2,362 in 2007; and 3,460 in 2008.

The preliminary three-season bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit (with 2008 figures in parentheses) were: WMU 1A, 8 (21); WMU 1B, 36 (67); WMU 2C, 246 (227); WMU 2D, 127 (166); WMU 2E, 77 (117); WMU 2F, 282 (246); WMU 2G, 1,024 (738); WMU 3A, 254 (313); WMU 3B, 291 (390); WMU 3C, 73 (177); WMU 3D, 272 (199); WMU 4A, 125 (145); WMU 4B, 43 (43); WMU 4C, 141 (94); WMU 4D, 441 (448); WMU 4E, 57 (52); WMU 5B, 1 (0); and WMU 5C, 1 (1).

Leading the top five bear harvest counties this year all come from the Northcentral Region. The top county was Clinton, with 294 (139 in 2008); followed by: Lycoming, 280 (251); Tioga, 215 (236); Cameron, 214 (75); and Potter 181 (294).

Preliminary county harvests by region for the three seasons (with 2008 figures in parentheses) are:

Northwest: Warren, 101 (59); Forest, 60 (60); Jefferson, 59 (62); Clarion, 48 (65); Venango, 33 (64); Butler, 13 (13); Crawford, 8 (31); and Mercer, 3 (6).

Southwest: Somerset, 72 (103); Fayette, 71 (43); Westmoreland, 65 (37); Armstrong, 44 (50); Indiana, 32 (66); and Cambria, 19 (40).

Northcentral: Clinton, 294 (139); Lycoming, 280 (251); Tioga, 215 (236); Cameron, 214 (75); Potter 181 (294); Centre, 148 (125); McKean, 142 (141); Clearfield, 134 (113); Elk, 120 (92); and Union, 50 (57).

Southcentral: Huntingdon, 110 (134); Bedford, 65 (80); Mifflin, 64 (56); Blair, 44 (51); Juniata, 33 (22); Snyder, 23 (44); Fulton, 16 (13); Perry, 8 (14); and Franklin, 5 (0).

Northeast: Pike, 115 (73); Bradford, 74 (102); Monroe, 75 (54); Sullivan, 68 (134); Carbon, 66 (32); Luzerne, 56 (59); Wayne, 49 (107); Wyoming, 44 (55); Lackawanna, 32 (39); Susquehanna, 30 (40); Columbia, 27 (24); Northumberland, 5 (6); and Montour, 1 (1).

Southeast: Schuylkill, 37 (36); Dauphin, 24 (19); Lebanon, 8 (0); Berks, 7 (1); Northampton, 5 (4); and Lehigh, 2 (2).

According to preliminary reports, the top 10 legal bears processed at check stations that were taken during the all seasons all had actual or estimated live weights that exceeded 610 pounds, and 38 bears exceeding 500 pounds were legally harvested. Edward L. Bechtel, of Lykens, Dauphin County, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that had an estimated live weight of 668-pounds. The bear was taken in Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, at 3:50 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Other large bears included: a 655-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, by David S. Kohnow, of Morrisville, at 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 24; a 654-pound male (actual live weight) taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, by Terence J. Burkhardt, of Jim Thorpe, at 4:35 p.m., on Nov. 23; a 654-pound male (estimated live weight) also taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, by Michael J. Wimmer Jr., of Jim Thorpe, at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 23; a 644-pound male (actual live weight) taken in Todd Township, Fulton County, by Travis L. Crouse, of Chambersburg, at 9:06 a.m. on Nov. 23; a 644-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Todd Township, Huntingdon County, by Max L. Hess, of Huntingdon, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 23; a 640-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Barrett Township, Monroe County, by Howard G. Dietsch III, of Greentown, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 25; a 621-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, by Albert G. Beisel, of Lackawaxen, at 11:25 a.m. on Nov. 25; a 612-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Brown Township, Lycoming County, by Lawrence T. Jagielski, of Reading, at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 24; and a 610-pound male (actual live weight) taken in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, by David T. Frey, of Harrisburg, at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 23.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- When is the largest bear killed in Pennsylvania’s bear season not the largest bear harvested?

When it is the largest bear killed over bait, which equals poaching.

That’s what happened when Charles W. Olsen Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, decided that it’d be easier to kill a bear over a pile of pastries, rather than the method used by ethical hunters.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Cory Bentzoni became suspicious when he saw a truck loaded with pastries from a local store driving along Route 309 in Dallas, Luzerne County.

“As we were about one week away from the opening of the statewide bear season, I thought that something illegal might be underway,” WCO Bentzoni said. “Being that we were so close to bear season, seeing that person drive by with an unusual amount of pastries was like watching an individual go down a row of parked vehicles testing each handle to see if it were open. Something just didn’t seem right.”

Bentzoni wrote down the vehicle license plate of the truck and found that it was registered to Olsen. He then instructed all Game Commission personnel operating bear check stations throughout the region to notify him if Olsen brought a bear into any one of the check stations.

Sure enough, on Nov. 25, Olsen brought a bear with an estimated live weight of 707-pound into the bear check station at the Northeast Region Office in Dallas, Luzerne County. Wyoming County WCO Vic Rosa was immediately contacted by the Northeast Region Office, since Olsen reportedly harvested the bear in Noxen Township, Wyoming County.

Northeast Region Land Management Supervisor Peter Sussenbach, who also was aware of the tip provided by WCO Bentzoni, approached Olsen and said “there might be a problem with this bear.” At that point, Olsen confessed that he had killed the bear over a bait pile.

“What is most unfortunate is that law-abiding bear hunters in the area were robbed of the opportunity to legally harvest truly a trophy bear by fair chase means,” said Northeast Region Law Enforcement Supervisor Dan Figured.

“It was thanks to the quick thinking of an observant Wildlife Conservation Officer, and some basic investigative work, that helped resolve this case.”

WCO Rosa plans to file charges of illegally killing a bear over bait later this week. If found guilty, Olsen faces fines and penalties of between $500 and $1,500, as well as the loss of hunting/trapping privileges for at least three years. In addition to criminal fines in this case, the Game Commission intends to request from the judge restitution for this trophy-class bear, which could amount to $5,000.

The enhanced restitution was adopted into regulations by the Board of Game Commissioners last year as another tool to deter those who would steal Pennsylvania’s wildlife

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI –-(AmmoLand.com)- Turkey and black bear hunters have until close of business Dec. 10 to apply for available permits for the 2010 spring turkey season and the 2010 black bear season.

Final permit levels for the spring turkey hunting season are set at 225,420 total permits (not including State Park & Disabled Only Hunting Zones). This is a slight increase from 225,120 total permits available for the 2009 spring season.

Total permit availability for the 2010 black bear season has not been determined yet. It is possible there will be more permits available for 2010. Permit levels will be taken up by the state Natural Resources Board at its Jan. 27-28 meeting.

Hunters registered 3,907 black bears in 2009. This number is preliminary and likely will change when all registration stubs are collected and entered. Hunters registered 2,955 bears in 2008.

Applications for each of these two permit drawings cost $3 and may be purchased at all authorized license agents, through the Online Licensing Center of the DNR Web site, Wisconsin DNR Service Centers, or by calling toll free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). Applications postmarked after the Dec. 10 deadline or filled out incorrectly will not be considered for the drawing.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA - Two days of bear hunting have produced a preliminary harvest of 2,709 bears, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission reports.

Last year, 2,518 bears were brought to Game Commission check stations after two days of hunting. In 2007, 1,638 bears passed through check stations the first two days and, in 2006, biologists inspected 2,185 bears after two days. In 2005, when the state record bear harvest was set, agency personnel processed 2,875 bears through the first two days of season; followed by 2,262 in 2004; 2,299 in 2003; and 2,022 in 2002.

The top 10 bears processed at check stations on the two days all had actual or estimated live weights that exceeded 570 pounds. Terence J. Burkhardt, of Jim Thorpe, harvested the largest bear, which was a male that weighed in at 654 pounds (actual live weight). The bear was taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, at 4:35 p.m. on Nov. 23.

Other large bears included: a 654-pound male (estimated live weight) also taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, by Michael J. Wimmer Jr., of Jim Thorpe, at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 23; a 644-pound male (actual live weight) taken in Todd Township, Fulton County, by Travis L. Crouse, of Chambersburg, at 9:06 a.m. on Nov. 23; a 610-pound male (actual live weight) taken in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, by David T. Frey, of Harrisburg, at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 23; a 607-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Lehman Township, Pike County, by Arthur Garris Jr. of Bushkill, at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 23; a 588-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Fannett Township, Franklin County, by Arthur G. Clayton, of Amberson, at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 23; a 586-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Porter Township, Pike County, by John T. Waters Jr., of Spring City, at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 23; a 581-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in McNett Township, Lycoming County, by Matthew J. Wells, of Gillett, at 9 .m. on Nov. 24; a 576-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Sergeant, McKean County, by Cody C. Cogan, of Weedville, at 2:35 p.m. on Nov. 24; and a 570-pound male (estimated live weight) taken in Larimer Township, Somerset County, by Richard M. Smith, of Meyersdale, at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 23.

The preliminary two-day bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 7 (14 in 2008); WMU 1B, 28 (57); WMU 2C, 204 (184); WMU 2D, 99 (123); WMU 2E, 68 (93); WMU 2F, 250 (213); WMU 2G, 857 (598); WMU 3A, 224 (279); WMU 3B, 179 (255); WMU 3C, 65 (55); WMU 3D, 246 (168); WMU 4A, 105 (118); WMU 4B, 36 (34); WMU 4C, 81 (52); WMU 4D, 234 (256); WMU 4E, 25 (17); and WMU 5B, 1 (0).

The top bear harvest county in the state after the second day of season was Clinton with 219 (91 in 2008), followed by Lycoming, 201 (195); Tioga, 198 (205); Cameron, 196 (61); and Potter, with 154 (256).

County harvests by region for the first two days, followed by the two-day 2008 preliminary harvests in parentheses, are:

• Northwest: Warren, 90 (47); Forest, 53 (53); Jefferson, 52 (48); Clarion, 39 (46); Venango, 27 (52); Butler, 8 (6); Crawford, 7 (29); and Mercer, 3 (4).
• Southwest: Somerset, 61 (83); Fayette, 56 (35); Westmoreland, 56 (32); Armstrong, 34 (44); Indiana, 23 (51); and Cambria, 12 (26).
• Northcentral: Clinton, 219 (91); Lycoming, 201 (195); Tioga, 198 (205); Cameron, 196 (61); Potter 154 (256); McKean, 124 (126); Clearfield, 119 (98); Elk, 108 (79); Centre, 79 (74); and Union, 23 (36).
• Southcentral: Huntingdon, 75 (96); Bedford, 49 (69); Mifflin, 45 (35); Blair, 32 (23); Juniata, 23 (17); Snyder, 15 (24); Fulton, 12 (9); Perry, 7 (11); and Franklin, 3 (0).
• Northeast: Pike, 103 (63); Monroe, 70 (48); Carbon, 50 (20); Wayne, 45 (46); Sullivan, 37 (76); Bradford, 36 (49); Luzerne, 31 (35); Lackawanna, 28 (27); Susquehanna, 25 (14); Wyoming, 22 (28); Columbia, 13 (9); and Northumberland, 2 (2).
• Southeast: Schuylkill, 21 (21); Dauphin, 10 (7); Berks, 6 (1); Northampton, 4 (2); and Lebanon 3 (0).

Hunters with an unfilled bear license may participate in extended bear seasons that run concurrent with all or portions of the first week of the firearms deer season. For details about those areas open to extended bear hunting and the dates, please see pages 34 and 35 of the 2009-10 Digest. Bear check stations opened during the extended bear seasons can be found on page 36 of the 2009-10 Digest.