The NJ Division of Fish

and Wildlife exists to serve hunting interests.

By promoting fear of bears,

they lay the groundwork

for future hunts.

At the heart of any argument for bearhunting is the fear of bears. The pro-hunting forces in the Division of Fish & Wildlife understand this, and therefore, their actions promote fear, rather than understanding of black bears.

When game officers shoot "nuisance" bears, they reinforce the myth that bears are dangerous. Yet the bears they kill are targeted for knocking over trash, emptying birdfeeders, and lapping up honey from beehives. On rare occasions, when home (or garage) entry is involved, it is the bears that are blamed. The Division refuses to address the true source of the problem: a homeowner who did not bearproof their property.

In New Jersey, it is illegal to feed bears—intentionally or through improperly stored garbage. Although studies show that bear complaints drop significantly when garbage is properly stored, the Division does not enforce this law. Instead, they trap and shoot the bear, often right on the homeowner's property. Scenarios like this widely promote fear. So when the Division disregards the feeding ban—they themselves create the "nuisance" bears which they then use to fuel their pro-hunt agenda.

The Division also inflates population statistics by encouraging residents to contact them regarding bear sitings. But whether a resident calls to complain or to ask a question, the call is logged as a nuisance complaint. This manipulated data is further compromised, as 10 calls about one bear are recorded as 10 complaints. The Division then uses these complaints to justify a need for a bear hunt.

At times, the Division relocates bears. We suspect that when bears end up in urban areas, that it is the Division that intentionally transported them there, as a way to incite fear. When such incidents are reported in the media, it further instills fear.

Division employees—who should be non-biased—argue publicly in favor of black bear hunting and align themselves with hunters. They are essentially a state-sanctioned hunting organization.

The Division doesn't have a black bear management plan; they have an agenda. With each "complaint" they log, with each homeowner not fined for violating the feeding law, and with each bear they publicly shoot—they lay the groundwork for another bear hunt. And it’s our job not to let this happen.

Please join us today...and help us promote education and  responsible government...and be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.