Assemblyman Michael J. Panter

PANTER CALLS FOR END TO BEAR HUNT(RED BANK) - Assemblymen Michael J. Panter (D-Monmouth/Mercer) sent the following letter to Commissioner Bradley Campbell of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection today regarding the black bear hunt:

December 9, 2005

The Hon. Bradley Campbell
Commissioner
Dept. of Environmental Protection
State of New Jersey
P.O Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625

VIA FAX AND MAIL

Dear Commissioner Campbell:

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the DEP's decision to proceed with a black bear hunt in New Jersey this year. As you know, this hunt follows a decision by the Fish and Game Council (FGC) to proceed with a hunt during 2003 after more than three decades of such hunts being banned in the Garden State.

These decisions mark a significant shift in our state's longstanding black bear and wildlife management policy. More importantly, there is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that the FGC's decisions have been based on inaccurate information and faulty assumptions.

I am very disappointed by this decision, as much of the research done on this topic shows that hunting is not the most effective way to control the bear population. A recent study conducted by Edward Tavss, PhD., of Rutgers University, showed the following:

"Data from three national parks, three local communities, four states and one Canadian province were studied to determine the effects of these two approaches (a. non-violent population control and b. hunting) on the reduction of human complaints/conflicts. The results demonstrate that at every site in which the non-violent program was evaluated, it was demonstrated to be markedly effective in reducing human complaints/conflicts, while at every site in which the hunting approach was evaluated no effect in reducing the human complaints/conflicts was observed."

It is also important to note the fact that when the New Jersey Supreme Court considered this issue last year, it was determined that the Department should have had a reasonably accurate bear population count before moving forward with a hunt. It is my understanding that this has not been accomplished.

The number of bear-related complaints in New Jersey had declined more than 20% from 1999 through 2003, when the decision to commence bear hunting was made.

There has not been a fatality in New Jersey’s history as the result of a black bear attack. The overwhelming majority of bear-related complaints stem from minor incidents of property damage to garbage cans, bird feeders and other items, which are easily secured to avoid such damage.

Moreover the results of the 2003 hunt are inconsistent with the FGC's stated objectives concerning public safety and property damage. Nearly 90% of all bears killed in the hunt were located in New Jersey's two most sparsely populated counties, Warren and Sussex, where bear encounters with people are least likely to occur.

Last year, your department concluded that estimates of New Jersey’s black bear population relied upon by the FGC during their decision making process in 2003 were grossly overstated. At that time you were opposed to the 2004 hunt. It is difficult for me to understand why, when you are still without accurate numbers, you would proceed with a hunt this year. The numbers of bears killed during this week's hunt strongly suggest that even your casual estimates were overblown.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my dissatisfaction with the poor decision to proceed with the bear hunt this year. I have also become increasingly concerned about those citizens who are opposing the hunt, many of whom have been subject to threats from the hunting community. We have also heard from many residents in the areas where the hunt is taking place who are far more concerned about the danger the hunters and their weapons pose to residents' families than they are about the bears.

I am formally requesting that you call an end to this year's hunt, effective immediately. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Panter
Assemblyman, 12th Legislative District