Bears in the Backyard

State bear hunts trigger emotions, controversy

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:37:02 -0400

State bear hunts trigger emotions, controversy:

The story includes info on new hunts added in recent years.

Black bear takes dip in NJ pool Or close to it.

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:45:27 -0400

Black bear takes dip in NJ pool

Or close to it.

New Jersey bear is looking for love (or so they say)

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:54:00 -0400

That’s the word from a bunch of stories about a 275-pound bear tranquilized in East Brunswick. You can read stories about the bear in the Star-Ledger and the Asbury Park Press.

From the Asbury Park Press:

As a 275-pound black bear fell limply out of a tree into a net after being tranquilized on a quiet suburban corner on Wednesday, one thing became painfully clear: The animal probably could use a dating service more than he needed the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife.State officials said the 3-year-old male has been captured six times in the past 18 months, and they suspect that the bear isn’t looking for food, or trouble, as much as he is seeking a female companion.

NJ.com: Bear sightings in Metuchen and Union are rare and unwelcome

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:07:00 -0400

NJ.com: Bear sightings in Metuchen and Union are rare and unwelcome:

Wow, one of these was right next to the town where I grew up, and the other was just blocks from my house.

Sunset Royale condo surprise: Black bear wanders complex In Fort...

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:51:31 -0400

Sunset Royale condo surprise: Black bear wanders complex

In Fort Myers—not exactly the usual stomping grounds for bears:

Fort Myers police called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 6:30 a.m. to report the bear, FWC spokeswoman Gabriella Ferraro said. FWC officers arrived at the condo on Clifford Street by the Caloosahatchee River and shot the animal with a tranquilizer dart.

NorthJersey.com: Black bears captivate the experts

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:53:03 -0400

Interesting story about black bears in New Jersey:

What have wildlife experts come to know and appreciate about New Jersey’s largest land mammal? For state wildlife biologist Patrick Carr, the answer is the bear’s ability to live secretly on the fringes of residential neighborhoods staying out of sight…most of the time.

Bear falls from tree into modified parachute You can learn more...

Mon, 16 May 2011 21:49:31 -0400

Bear falls from tree into modified parachute

You can learn more in this story.

“Bear invasion”: TV report about bears around...

Thu, 05 May 2011 09:47:00 -0400

“Bear invasion”: TV report about bears around Jackson, New Jersey

Interesting report on the bears around the Jersey Shore.

Reuters: Black bears sighted near New Jersey Shore

Wed, 04 May 2011 21:24:03 -0400

Here’s what Reuters is reporting:

Up to 12 black bear sightings have been called in over the past three weeks by residents in Ocean County, said Jackson Township Police Sergeant Edward Bennett on Wednesday.

They’re not sure if it’s one active bear, or several.

Bear hunt ends in New Jersey

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:08:36 -0500

The hunt is over, with an estimated 562 bears killed during the hunt. Learn more.

ABC television video of start of NJ bear hunt

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:03:12 -0500

ABC television video of start of NJ bear hunt

Governor may cut six-day bear hunt short in NJ

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:00:49 -0500

Governor may cut six-day bear hunt short in NJ

264 bears killed on first day of NJ hunt As reported in the...

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:22:25 -0500

264 bears killed on first day of NJ hunt

As reported in the Star-Ledger, 264 bears were killed on the first day of the New Jersey bear hunt. About 7,800 permits were issued this year for a bear population estimated at 3,400.

As reported in the Ledger:

The six-day hunt began 30 minutes before sunrise, around 7 a.m., in seven counties, mostly in the northwestern part of the state. David Chanda, director of the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, the hunt’s sponsor, said that traditionally 5 percent to 7 percent of permits issued result in a kill, which would mean a count of 375 to 550 bear this week, though Chanda said as many as 700 could be killed.

NJ hunt to proceed

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:27:00 -0500

NJ hunt to proceed:

NJ hunt to proceed

Will there be a bear hunt in New Jersey?

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:49:47 -0500

Well, it’s not clear yet whether there will be a bear hunt in New Jersey.

Two anti-hunting groups have filed lawsuits against the hunt, and a court is expected to rule on the case soon. Here’s a story explaining the situation:

Court may decide Friday whether N.J. bear hunt can proceed

New Jersey prepares for bear hunt

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:49:12 -0500

Once again, there will be a bear hunt in New Jersey, with some of the details covered in this AP report. The state DEP rejected a request to postpone the bear hunt, as outlined in this document. Here’s an excerpt:

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.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Sad details of big Pennsylvania bear

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:52:47 -0500

The Inquirer has a detailed story about the huge bear killed as part of the hunt in Pike County. The bear was apparently fed by a resort employee and almost treated like a pet. Of course, it’s illegal to feed bears, and it’s unclear why the feeding was allowed to continue for so long.

875-pound bear killed in Pennsylvania hunt

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:05:47 -0500

875-pound bear killed in Pennsylvania hunt:

There’s some controversy about the bear, as some described it as a “homebody” that was being fed by locals.

Here’s a black bear on a grassy lawn in Massachusetts.

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:49:29 -0500

Here’s a black bear on a grassy lawn in Massachusetts.

Florida wildlife technicians, garbage, and black bears

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:44:52 -0500

Bears in Florida?

Yes, they exist, but the bear population is endangered.

Here’s a story about wildlife technicians working with bears in Florida.