I STAND WITH THE BEARS
This is a big step for the Governor, but its not being received as well as hoped. Bear advocacy groups are saying that Murphy isn't holding up his promise to put a FULL stop to the N.J. Bear hunt.
The governor said "Today I am fulfilling my commitment to stop the bear hunt to the greatest extent of my authority by ordering the Department of Environmental Protection to prevent bear hunting on all public lands under the DEP's jurisdiction"
(The most important part of the quote "to the greatest extent of my authority")
The NJ State Fish and Game Council already has authorized bear hunts through 2021. The governor said his authority to cancel the hunt outright was limited by the fact that the council -- which, by law, is composed primarily of sportsmen and farmers -- is independent of his authority.
New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel, an opponent of the bear hunt, called the governor's action "the first real step we've had in a long time" to limit the hunt.
But, said "Stopping the hunt on state lands does not stop the hunt; it only changes where the bears get killed. The hunt will continue on other public lands including county parks, water company lands and private lands."
Governor Murphys decision drew a negative response from Assemblyman Parker Space, of Wantage, an avid sportsman who accused the governor of playing politics with the issue and said wildlife management should be left to the experts.
I am in full support of stopping the NJ Bear hunt until more concrete evidence can be provided about the bear populations in our area. Harvest rates have steadily DECLINED in recent years and right now all any of the " experts" can offer are what they call "accurate estimates"
Really ? Im sorry , but an 'accurate estimate" sounds like B.S. to me .. its either "accurate" , or an "estimate". It cant be BOTH!
Where do you stand on the issue ?
See The Full NJ HERALD Article HERE
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