2008 NJ Bear Incidents Up, Alarmingly

[apmaurosr]

This information is intended for educational purposes.

New Jersey "BEAR ACTIVITY REPORT:"
For the period January 1, 2008 through April 20, 2008 versus same period in 2007.

Category I Bear incidents are up a whopping 314.3% this year over the same period last year (January 1 -April 20.) Category 1 contains the most severe incidents. Increases were seen in the categories; Attempted Home Entry, Home Entry, Livestock Kills, Aggressive behavior, Vehicle Entry, and Rabbit Attacks. A total incident report in category I (one) is 29 in 2008 versus 7 in 2007.

Category II Bear incidents have also increased a stunning 177.4%. Property Damage, Nuisance and Garbage incidents were the categories that contained the complaints. A total incident report in category II (two) is 172 in 2008 versus 62 in 2007.

Even Category III complaints (Bird Feeder damage, Sightings and Vehicle Strikes) are up 46.3% from prior year (79 incidents in 2008 versus 54 incidents in 2007.)

These figures do NOT include incidents reported to police departments without assistance from the DEP.

These incidents are NOT restricted to one or two areas of New Jersey or a hand-full of people. The above complaints include the counties that reported activity, which were: Sussex, Ocean, Warren, Morris, Somerset, Passaic, and Hunterdon.

As the population of bears continues to increase in NJ, unrestricted by any method of population control, so too do the risks to humans and pets.

This information is taken from publicly disclosed documents. Although black bear attacks on humans are infrequent there are a reported 52 known fatal black bear attacks in North America during the last 100 years.

Ant
Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.
Chairman, NJOA

 

[dcabarle]

I read something in the paper today regarding a bear incident this weekend. In short, a black bear was roaming around a neigborhood minding its own business when some residents chased it up a tree. They put the bear in a category whereas it was considered a threat. They shot and killed the bear and that was the end of the incident.

Now I'm not against hunting unless it's hunting an endangered species but, why wasn't this bear tranquilized and relocated rather than shot dead? Something like this just doesn't make sense. From what I read, the bear wasn't bothering anybody.

 

[BIGBOW]

This information is intended for educational purposes.

New Jersey "BEAR ACTIVITY REPORT:"

As the population of bears continues to increase in NJ, unrestricted by any method of population control, so too do the risks to humans and pets.

Ant
Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.
Chairman, NJOA

Where does this man's information come from? I was completely for the ending of NJ bear hunts. Not permanently, but until they starting doing a bear census. I keep hearing the number of bears is increasing, yet no one from the state or any other group has exact numbers. Im not against hunting by any means, but to me it seems like human activity is whats been growing and these animals are forced out of their natural habitats and then become dangerous and "need to be killed." Its time people realize we're the problem and not the bears! It's like blowing up all the bridges in a city and complaining about the bums in your shed.

 

[AKSkim]

there are a reported 52 known fatal black bear attacks in North America during the last 100 years.
Ant
Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.
Chairman, NJOA

Numbers don't lie.

Just goes to prove that we are over due.

Las Vegas has the bear attack odds in NJ right now at 11/1

The Bearfecta is going off at 150/1

Word has it the bear shot and killed in NJ recently, well even though it posed no threat to any humans or live stock, it just made the mistake of climbing one of four known ALBINO HEMLOCK SAGITTARIUS trees in the US. That one tree is on the "Above Endangered" list as far as trees goes.

Humm... after the recent shooting, Vegas odds may fall dramatically to 6/1. Hey, just like the Yankee odds of winning the World Series!

 

[Future Fanatic]

Humm... after the recent shooting, Vegas odds may fall dramatically to 6/1. Hey, just like the Yankee odds of winning the World Series!

This prediction coming from the guy who last year nearly had 19-0 tattooed on his ass. Hey, you never know... isn't that right, AK smelt pole?

 

[AKSkim]

AK smelt pole?

Yo KA-CLANG Johnny,

Quit making fun of smelt fishing. It is the social event of the year for some of us.

Why even you would fit in.. mighty widely.. but you'd fit in.

AK Skim
Former, Vice Chairman of the Downeast Smelt Fishing and National Toboggan Festival.

 

[Future Fanatic]

Yo KA-CLANG Johnny,

Quit making fun of smelt fishing. It is the social event of the year for some of us.

Why even you would fit in.. mighty widely.. but you'd fit in.

AK Skim
Former, Vice Chairman of the Downeast Smelt Fishing and National Toboggan Festival.

Who said anything about a fish?

 

[AKSkim]

Who said anything about a fish?

It has been very obvious for sometime now to the casual observer, you never do.

After all BUB.. this is a FISHING CHAT BOARD case you haven't noticed....

As always, more than willing to help those incapable of doing it themselves.

AK Skim
For the North East Fly Fishing Channel.

 

[Eagle Claw]

The humans need to go back to where they came from. Who asked them to come here in the first place ?

 

[Trout Nazi]

Where does this man's information come from? I was completely for the ending of NJ bear hunts. Not permanently, but until they starting doing a bear census. I keep hearing the number of bears is increasing, yet no one from the state or any other group has exact numbers. Im not against hunting by any means, but to me it seems like human activity is whats been growing and these animals are forced out of their natural habitats and then become dangerous and "need to be killed." Its time people realize we're the problem and not the bears! It's like blowing up all the bridges in a city and complaining about the bums in your shed.

A census? We need a census to tell us we have more bears? I've been living here my whole life, and I'm seeing way more out there now then ever. Yes, I'm an n=1, but its pretty evident that the numbers have increased based on all the "official" reports plus the numbers seen everywhere. Everyone I know who hunts see's them pretty frequently vs. rarely 15 years ago. And I don't think that the issue is that we've forced them out of their habitat, but they've adapted pretty well to ours, and found out where the easy meals are. Why dig up grubs and worms when you can go and have last nights pork chops?

BTW, a state biologist I spoke with said that for the population to remain healthy, around 25% should be killed per year, based on the rate at which they are reproducing. The limited hunts we've had barely broke 20%.

 

[Stonefly]

The fact of the matter is that we have been creating habitat, not the other way around.

When bear hunting was stopped by hunters through the Fish & Game Council because of declining numbers (less then 100) in the 70's, was before the creation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Farms, houses, and even a town (Dingmans Ferry PA,)were torn down preparing for the Tocks Island Dam. The land was transfered to the NPS once the dam was D.O.A, more wildlife management area, open space programs, houses are larger lot sizes, develpements creating greenbelts, (an example would be the Forest South and Forest West Subdivisions in Byram Sussex County which have over seventy acreas of green acres behind and between the two subdivisions. I have full knowldge of this as a past president of the homeowners association and trustee of the local water company) and hence more habitat.

Bears were moving down the kittantiny range from NYS and across the Delaware from PA into NJ looking for territory. In the early 90's the bear population started to explode upwards. Just a few years ago the head of the NYS version of DEP wrote to Commissioner Campbell and the again to Commissioner Jackson calling for a NJ bear hunt because of the increased population from NJ bears moving up into NYS. This past season NYS extended the bear season because of the increase in the number of bears in their border counties.

Anti's use Yellowstone as an example of bear mangement through garbage control. Yet a simple phone call to the public affairs office in Yellowstone, will tell you, that a cenus of BLACK BEARS in Yellowstone done in March of 2007 show about 500 to 600 (the number estimated to have been born in NJ just this year) bears in the entire 2,000,000 + acreas of Yellowstone (which covers parts of four states) the number also took into consideration the number of bears moving in and out of Yellowstone to BLM land, private land and the ajoining national parks such as the Teton. The study showed that sows are having litters of one to two clubs (the Griz population is about the same). Grizzly bears kill black bear clubs, even digging them out of dens, and help keep the population in check, as do wolves. NJ is seeing sows having three to four clubs with 100% making it to adults. People and homes aren't forcing you bears out from lack of habitat, but rather they are showing up in suburban and urban areas because older larger bears force the young ones out to compete for territory and females because the population has out grown the exsisting habitat. An adult breding male bear requires up to 45-60 miles of territory, so when the overall population out grows exsisting habitat, you get bears, in Rockaway, Denville, Trenton and even Newark. This state has had the highest density of population in the US since the Koren War, and this isn't going to change.

 

[flyman23]

I think that what will eventually happen is that someone will end up getting attacked and God forbid killed. If this happens, just wait and see how quick they renstate the bear hunt. I do think it's a combination of things, loss of habitate, to many bears, to many people ect.

 

[Eagle Claw]

About ten years ago a bear attacked and killed a kid in a stroller in the Catskills. It was in the Neversink area and the bear was killed for its deed. The kid had food that the bear wanted and the bear took it away by force. It does not take much provocation, just the right cirmumstances,

 

[BIGBOW]

All in good taste... I simply cant buy into some of these arguments. You're saying that more land has been set aside for bears than been taken away.. no way. Take a look around. Northwest Jersey has never seen as many housing developments and stripmalls in its existence. Of course some small rural communities around the Gap have stayed the same and some land even set aside, but that land comes no where close to whats been built up in surrounding areas. I knew my statement would get some feedback, and please dont think Im against hunting or hunting bears in anyway, I just think you need real numbers before you say there's too many. Thats why the hunt was called off in the first place. No one could give an actual number. Im really curious.. you dont think we've pushed bears out of their habitats? Please dont think Im naive. The number may very well have increased, dramatically perhaps, but you simply cant say that because you see more of them than 15 years ago. You need numbers. Guess what I see?? more people, more houses, more stores, more roads, etc. Just my opinion and please dont take it the wrong way.

 

[Corndog]

BB,

I understand what you're saying, I hear it over and over and over. But it's easy to have an opinion as yours when you don't live smack dab in the middle of the most densely populated bear zone in NJ. Man is not going to learn to live with the bears as we have the deer, and we are not going to move because of them. People can say we emproached on their habitat all they want, but there's no way a million people are going to voluntarily move out of bear country. I have bears in my yard almost every day/night. I cannot put my garbage at the curb the night before garbage pickup or it will be all over my yard and woods by morning. Since the state refuses to do anything about the growing bear population, people are taking the matter into their own hands, which is not good. I think a controlled hunt would be better, cause some of these bears are probably just getting sick and not dying. I think you know what I'm saying.

I heard from others (of course they are hunters who are biased) that the reason there is no bear hunt is because the state stopped the tagging and monitoring program intentionally so no one would know how many bears there are in NJ. Resulting in the intended end to the bear hunt.

Cdog

 

[apmaurosr]

Where does this man's information come from? I was completely for the ending of NJ bear hunts. Not permanently, but until they starting doing a bear census. I keep hearing the number of bears is increasing, yet no one from the state or any other group has exact numbers. Im not against hunting by any means, but to me it seems like human activity is whats been growing and these animals are forced out of their natural habitats and then become dangerous and "need to be killed." Its time people realize we're the problem and not the bears! It's like blowing up all the bridges in a city and complaining about the bums in your shed.

It's public information. Also, if you feel so passionately that humans are the cause is it fair to assume that you will begin the trend of humans moving out of their homes to have their property razed so that once again wildlife may inhabit the acreage - bears of course included? Everyone that lives in a home (condo, apt, ...) has dislodged wildlife. Every store that we frequent has razed property and dislodged wildlife. In fact, look around you - every building that has been erected has dilodged - even killed - certain flora and fauna.

The fact is that humans are also part of the ecosystem and the world's ecology - not seperate from it. There has to be a balance between wildlife and humans, and certain encroachments need to be managed for the benefit of all parties animal, plant and himans. Hunting is a tool used to maintain that balance.

Ant

 

[BIGBOW]

It's public information. Also, if you feel so passionately that humans are the cause is it fair to assume that you will begin the trend of humans moving out of their homes to have their property razed so that once again wildlife may inhabit the acreage - bears of course included? Hunting is a tool used to maintain that balance.

Ant

No.. its not public info because there are no numbers on bears inhabiting NJ. Thats why theres no hunt. The previous hunts were banned due to this and the fact that Commissioner Campbell and his council that approved the hunts were chosen by a bunch of lobbyists, 6 of the 11 appointed need to be hunters, a majority. All hunters should know you need numbers for a hunt. I could care less about the hunt and this will be my last post here. Im just saying people keep shooting the breeze when all you need is the base... NUMBERS. Get them then you'll get your hunt. Im not anti anything. PEACE

 

[BIGBOW]

Also, if you feel so passionately that humans are the cause is it fair to assume that you will begin the trend of humans moving out of their homes to have their property razed so that once again wildlife may inhabit the acreage - bears of course included? The fact is that humans are also part of the ecosystem and the world's ecology - not seperate from it. There has to be a balance between wildlife and humans

Ant

1 more than Im done. I dont feel humans are part of it, I know they are. Im sure the pop. of bears has gone up too, but you need the proof if you want a hunt. And yes, humans should move out of their homes- Is that what you want to hear? If we could vote on creating a bill that would cap population, I'd be all for it, even if it meant limiting family size and cutting off immigration. I honestly dont think this will ever happen, but if I were KING...

 

[apmaurosr]

The Bear Activity report (incidents) is public information and is available at the Division of Fish and Wildlife. You may not want to accept this fact, that is your prerogative.

The population count, and the Bear Activity report are two seperate things. The Bear Activity report are REPORTED incidents to the DEP/DFW to which they respond. The numbers I have provided are ACTUAL occurances - and so too are the numbers of incidents compiled and reported for the prior year. All of this can be obtained by the public.

So, if you would like to debate the numbers of incidents, call the DEP or DFW and get the numbers and let's debate them. Let's not carp for the sake of carping.

You might also want to call a few police departments if you are truly interested in getting a wider perspective. The incidents that have been reported do NOT include calls to police departments where the DEP was not involved. Add to my numbers those in West Milford alone - 59 lodged complaints versus 38 the same period ending May 13.

How about this ditty - 12 vehicle strikes versus 2 prior year. Think its dangerous hitting a 150lb deer on Rte 287 going 60 mph? Try a 300 or 400lb bear at the same speeds. Certain death for the bear (I won't speak about the consequences for the driver since it appears that the bear is what is the most important issue.) There were recently 2 such occurances on Rte 287 where the bears were killed.

Bigbow, I don't want people to move out of their homes. I want balance, safety and management for wildlife populations and human populations. If you believe that people are the cause of the bear problem, which has been the theme of your posts, then do something about it. Typing away on njflyfishing isn't saving our planet. Be the first to leave your dwelling - have it razed and allow evolution to restore it to its origins. Let the bears (and all flora and fauna) inhabit it once again. Using your perspective, you stole their property and then had them removed - or you paid someone to do it for you. If you need a place to live build a tent on the property (since it will not destroy the land, flora and fauna.)

The next challenge of course will be what you will eat. Because if killing and eating a bear is a bad thing then so too is killing and eating a fish, deer, rabbit, turkey, ... any living animal. Of course, you are then left with eating vegetation - which is also living and dies when removed from the earth. But these ethical dilemmas are yours to resolve.

We are part of the earth's ecology. We depend on it for survival and we influence its workings. Because of this I feel I have a responsibility to be a good steward of wildlife. If that means helping to balance the interests of wildlife with those of humanity (a partner in the ecosystem) then I support it.


Ant
PS - make sure that the contents of the tent you construct does not make use of any animal or plant products. As well, make sure it leaves no carbon footprint during the manufacturing process and delivery.

 

[Stonefly]

I think you need to read the supreme court order Bigbow, I have and its available on line. No were in the discussion is there a mention of bear numbers, its was about who makes the finale decision to hold a hunt the Commissioner of the Council.

The court held that the council must rewrite its Comprehensive Bear Management Plan, and the Commissioner must approve it. Also the court ruled that the last public hearing in Trenton authorized by the Commissioner was not held in compliance with state regulations.

Since the Commissioner keeps declining the Councils plan, hence no hunt. She even put forth her own plan, which the court did not approve.
She wants to use "nolethal" methods, the fact that there are no nonlethal methods seems to beyond her. The FDA had not approved any form of nonlethal method, nor has the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

King Corzine authorized 850,000 last year for Black Bear Studies, but the funds were never fully given to F&W, now he is reducing their budget by 850,000.....no study thus can be done.

 

[apmaurosr]

I think you need to read the supreme court order Bigbow, i have and its available on line. No were in the discussion is ther a mention of bear numbers, its was about who makes the finale decision to hold a hunt the Commissioner of the Council.

The court held that the council must rewrite its Bear Management Plan, and the Commissioner must approve it. Also the court ruled that the last hearing in Trenton authorized by the Commissioner was not held in compliance with state regulations.

Since the Commissioner keeps declining the Councils plan, hence no hunt.
She wants to use "nolethal" methods, the fact that there are no nonlethal methods seems to beyonf her. The FDA had not approved any form of nonlethal method, nor has the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

King Corzine authorized 850,000 last year for Black Bear Studies, but the funds were never fully given to F&W, now he is reducing their budget by 850,000.....no study thus can be done.

Good info Stonefly

Thanks
Ant

 

[BIGBOW]

The Bear Activity report (incidents) is public information and is available at the Division of Fish and Wildlife. You may not want to accept this fact, that is your prerogative.

So, if you would like to debate the numbers of incidents, call the DEP or DFW and get the numbers and let's debate them. Let's not carp for the sake of carping.

The next challenge of course will be what you will eat. Because if killing and eating a bear is a bad thing then so too is killing and eating a fish, deer, rabbit, turkey, ... any living animal. Of course, you are then left with eating vegetation - which is also living and dies when removed from the earth. But these ethical dilemmas are yours to resolve.

Uhh.. What?? Why are you assuming I dont believe the bear incident report? You're getting a bit out of line. First of all, I said the bear count isnt public info. because there isnt one. Second, I never said the bear pop. wasn't growing.. I said like every other hunt thats allowed by law, you need to take the necessary steps and get a count and proof. This would prove it's their numbers growing and not just ours. Incident reports dont prove that they've grown in numbers. Its a fact that the human pop. has grown and that could be a possible reason for the incidents, I really dont know or care as much as you think I may. And when did I ever say killing and eating a bear or other animals was a bad thing?? Please dont put words in my mouth so you can sound like the good guy. You may want to actually read my full posts before making your assumptions. I am by no means a vegetarian. I have family and friends that are, and thats certainly all right to, but that has absolutely nothing to do with anything I've posted or commented on. You're completely missing my point. You cant just assume there are more bears because you see more and there are more incidents.. you need to count them and put the numbers in the management plan so you know what you're working with and take the measures from there.. thats all Im saying and all I ever meant.. you're putting words in my mouth and not even making sense half the time.

 

[Future Fanatic]

I don't know how Jersey goes about things, but if they did not count deer one year, would they cancel the hunt for the next year?

If yes, then obviously they take the time and/or spend the money to do it each and every year, so why did they NOT do this for bear?

If no, if they HAD a hunt in the past, and killed x number of bears AND the evidence they DO have (road kills and bear incidents) goes UP the next year, why could they not have a hunt AT LEAST based upon the numbers of the previous hunt, given that the former hunt nearly certainly did NOT cause the numbers to drop?

 

[Corndog]

BB, it's futile.

:bang:

Pretend they don't exist and maybe they'll go away.

Cdog

 

[BIGBOW]

I don't know how Jersey goes about things, but if they did not count deer one year, would they cancel the hunt for the next year?

If yes, then obviously they take the time and/or spend the money to do it each and every year, so why did they NOT do this for bear?

If no, if they HAD a hunt in the past, and killed x number of bears AND the evidence they DO have (road kills and bear incidents) goes UP the next year, why could they not have a hunt AT LEAST based upon the numbers of the previous hunt, given that the former hunt nearly certainly did NOT cause the numbers to drop?

You're absolutely correct. The last approved hunts were the first in our state for about 30 years. Im not sure what measurements they took back then, but the couple of hunts allowed a few years ago were approved without any knowledge of actual numbers of bears. If a hunt is whats needed to keep the population in check than Im all for it. Many on this board are coming across as though they feel there should just be a hunt.. end of story. Any pro-conservationist would want the hunt to keep things stable a be a good thing, so why not know the facts before making presumptions? If there are so many bears, than NJ must have some bad hunters because about 95% of the people who participated in the last hunt didn't bag crap.

 

[Corndog]

BB,

The reason many of the hunters that hunted in Sussex County "didn't bag crap" was beacuse the animal rights liberals were out in force banging pans together in the woods. You should have seen it. They outnumbered the hunters 10-1. Now, where's a bear attack when you need one.

Cdog

 

[BIGBOW]

Ahh, yes. I did hear about those people.. believe me I was not one of them. I have many family members and friends in PA, NJ, and NY that hunt and by no means oppose it when done correctly. How did NY treat you Dog?

 

[Corndog]

Ahh, yes. I did hear about those people.. believe me I was not one of them. I have many family members and friends in PA, NJ, and NY that hunt and by no means oppose it when done correctly. How did NY treat you Dog?

As for my SR trip on the 17th. Went 6 of 13 landed. As for Memorial Day weekend and my secret little NY mountain stream...I didn't get to go out and play.

There are 3 things important to me in life...a good home cooked meal, fishing, and well you know the other. I'm not giving any of them up!

How was your Adirondack trip?

Cdog

 

[BIGBOW]

We camped along a smaller river than I'd usually fish up there and after about 3 casts I had a million black flies on me. We took a 5 mile hike to the upper Hudson and same thing.. had to get out of there without wetting a line. We ended up sitting at a biker bar for a few hours until the bugs settled down and we could get our fire going where our camp was.. then all was well. Fished the river my place is on the next night for a couple hours and caught a bunch of rainbows and browns, none of any noteworthy size. Would've been better if the bugs hadn't ruined the first place we were at. I saw a lot of fish in there for the few minutes I could withstand the drones.

 

[Corndog]

We camped along a smaller river than I'd usually fish up there and after about 3 casts I had a million black flies on me. We took a 5 mile hike to the upper Hudson and same thing.. had to get out of there without wetting a line. We ended up sitting at a biker bar for a few hours until the bugs settled down and we could get our fire going where our camp was.. then all was well. Fished the river my place is on the next night for a couple hours and caught a bunch of rainbows and browns, none of any noteworthy size. Would've been better if the bugs hadn't ruined the first place we were at. I saw a lot of fish in there for the few minutes I could withstand the drones.

Sounds like it was a good trip, black flys excluded. I've been running into them this year as well. Gotta soak yourself in deet.

Cdog