Animal Advocates across the United States are heartbroken after a reported 62 black bears were horrifically killed on the first day of New Jersey’s annual bear hunt.
According to NJ.com, Sussex County had the most bears killed on Monday, with a total of 26. Morris County had 17 bears killed and 11 bears in Warren County. Passaic County had three bears killed and one bear each in Bergen and Hunterdon counties.
WAN recently reported hopeful news announced by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stating that the New Jersey Fish and Game Council proposed changes to the state’s “Game Code” that would end bear hunting throughout the state after 2020.
Unfortunately, the proposed changes have not yet been implemented and the New Jersey bear hunt has been allowed to take place this year. Sadly, 62 black bears have already been killed in the hunt and that number is expected to rise as the hunting season continues.
“The 62 bears that were killed today are a perfect example of how out of touch wildlife agencies are with public opinion. Wildlife belongs to every citizen as a collective trust, not just those that want to hunt them,” Adam Sugalski, Founder and Executive Director of One Protest told WAN.
“Several people and groups have fought for years against corrupt government officials that have allowed this hunt to continue, despite public outcry and non-lethal solutions to bear-human conflicts.
“After our organization helped successfully stop the Florida black bear hunt in 2016, we assisted N.J. bear advocates in their fight to stop bear hunting. We have provided flyers, posters, advice, and a petition that now has over 33,000 signatures. We have learned that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to stop bear trophy hunting in the United States, and the most remarkable victories achieved for bears and other wildlife happen when people are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together,” concluded Sugalski.
The bear hunt is sadly open for bowhunting through Wednesday and muzzleloaders will also be allowed Thursday through Saturday of this week. A second segment of bear hunting, for sickos with firearms, will open on December 7th.
Former Democratic State Senator from Union County, Raymond Lesniak, announced that a coalition of animal rights activists plans to sue the state over the statutory makeup of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council.
Please contact the numbers below and urge them to end the New Jersey bear hunts this year. You can also sign the petition HERE!
Governor Phil Murphy
Phone: (609) 292-6000
Email HERE!
DEP Commissioner, Catherine R. McCabe
Phone: (609) 292-2885
NJ Fish & Wildlife Council and Committee Members
Phone: (609) 292-2965
Email: [email protected]
This article was first published by World Animal News on 13 October 2020.
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