Bill Text: NJ AR127 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes expansion of black bear hunting season in NJ.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-10-13 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [AR127 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR127-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Opposes expansion of black bear hunting season in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution opposing expansion of the black bear hunting season in New Jersey.
Whereas, The American black bear is native to New Jersey and is an integral part of the State's natural heritage; and
Whereas, Black bears live in mixed hardwood forests, dense swamps, and forested wetlands, preferring areas with dense cover, and while excellent bear habitat is found primarily within the northwestern portion of the State, as the bear population increases, black bear sightings have been confirmed Statewide; and
Whereas, Black bears are highly adaptable and can live among human development; and
Whereas, Black bears are generally solitary animals, with the exception of sows with cubs, and tend to be crepuscular, meaning they are most active shortly before sunrise and again after sunset; and
Whereas, Black bears will adjust their routines when it affords them the opportunity to take advantage of human-derived food sources, such as human garbage left out overnight, unsecured trash cans, or food scraps at a campground; and
Whereas, Black bears are typically not aggressive animals and tend to be wary of people; and
Whereas, Public education on how to coexist with bears, including not leaving out human food, pet food, and birdseed, and securing trash cans can help reduce encounters with nuisance or aggressive bears; and
Whereas, In 2015, the Fish and Game Council adopted changes to the "Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy" and to the State Game Code concerning the hunting of black bears; and
Whereas, These changes, which were approved by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection: expanded the existing black bear hunting season to include a four-day expansion of the season in December, if kill objectives are not met during the regular season; increased the number of available permits from 10,000 to 11,000; expanded the designated areas of the State where black bear hunting may occur; and also expanded the season to include an archery and muzzleloader season in October; and
Whereas, In December 2015, the black bear hunting season was expanded beyond the original six-day hunt to allow an additional four days of black bear hunting and allowed black bear hunting in additional areas of the State, and in October 2016, there will be an additional six-day black bear hunting season; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House opposes the expansion of the black bear hunting season in New Jersey, and requests the Fish and Game Council and the Department of Environmental Protection to limit any future black bear hunting seasons to the previously approved six-day season held in December.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and each member of the Fish and Game Council.
STATEMENT
This resolution opposes the expansion of the black bear hunting season in New Jersey, and requests the Fish and Game Council and the Department of Environmental Protection to limit any future black bear hunting seasons to the previously approved six-day season held in December.
In 2015, the Fish and Game Council adopted changes to the "Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy" and to the State Game Code concerning the hunting of black bears. These changes, which were approved by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection: expanded the existing black bear hunting season to include a four-day expansion of the season in December, if kill objectives are not met during the regular season; increased the number of available permits from 10,000 to 11,000; expanded the designated areas of the State where black bear hunting may occur; and also expanded the season to include an archery and muzzleloader season in October. In December 2015, the black bear hunting season was expanded beyond the original six-day hunt to include an additional four days of black bear hunting and allowed black bear hunting in additional areas in the State, and in October 2016, there will be an additional six-day black bear hunting season.
