Vernon, N.J.
Hunters last week killed 280 black bears in a six-day hunt to thin out New Jersey’s growing bear population. Black bears were once near extinction in the state, but have bounced back since laws were enacted to protect them. Now wildlife officers are fielding a growing number of complaints of bears wandering through backyards and rummaging through garbage. “There are no alternatives to manage the bear population next to a hunt,” a wildlife official said. A hundred protesters waved signs reading, “I’d take a bullet for a bear,” as hunters showed up at Wawayanda State Park in Vernon, where dead bears were inspected. “This is strictly a trophy hunt,” said Lynda Smith of the Bear Education and Resource Group.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.