Hey guys just wondering if you get tired of hearing all the rhetoric and attacks against hunters everytime the state announces the plans for the bear hunt. I'm absolutely amazed at the crazy statements and notions that people have out there and how that elevate animals to the same level as humans. These animals are Alpha predators capable of killing people very easily and yet in the most densely populated state in the country those that oppose the hunt want to educate people. These are wild animals that kill, not some squirrel or bird in the park that they recommend that you don't feed, but some think you can eliminate or remove the risk by educating people on how to avoid them. Well I can tell you now plenty of people take the precautions they advise but still have the bears breaking into their garages, sheds, houses, and cars to get a meal.
I know people who live in bear country up in Northwestern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York and in areas where there is and has been a regular hunting season the bears avoid humans as much as possible. Unfortunately here in New Jersey we have a population of bears that went unhunted even when their numbers exploded and learned to associate humans with food and no danger. Even though we've had the hunt for a couple of years I think it will be a while before the majority of the bear population is exposed to the fact that humans equal danger and learn to avoid them like their counterparts in other states. I know in certain situations you run into the bear that still push the envelope and despite the risks will see humans as a source of food but in areas that have a hunting season this is the minority not the majority.
Any thoughts or observations from other New Jersey hunters?
Roger
I know people who live in bear country up in Northwestern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York and in areas where there is and has been a regular hunting season the bears avoid humans as much as possible. Unfortunately here in New Jersey we have a population of bears that went unhunted even when their numbers exploded and learned to associate humans with food and no danger. Even though we've had the hunt for a couple of years I think it will be a while before the majority of the bear population is exposed to the fact that humans equal danger and learn to avoid them like their counterparts in other states. I know in certain situations you run into the bear that still push the envelope and despite the risks will see humans as a source of food but in areas that have a hunting season this is the minority not the majority.
Any thoughts or observations from other New Jersey hunters?
Roger