Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Post Comment
The problem with bears in New Jersey is continuing unabated. So far this year, so-called "Category 1" bear incidents have increased by 37 percent over last year -- from 35 to 48, according to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Category 1 incidents include home entries, of which there have been 16 this year, and attacks on dogs, of which there have been four. A black bear has not killed a person in New Jersey for more than 100 years, but we fear a tragedy is certainly possible in light of repeated bear-human encounters.

Estimates of the number of bears living in New Jersey vary. Some say about 1,500. Others say twice that many. All agree -- or should agree -- that so many bears in such a congested state is going to lead to problems.

The state Department of Environmental Protection runs various education programs to tell those living in "bear country" -- principally northwest New Jersey -- how to live with bears. Some of the rules: Trash must be covered, animals should not run loose after dark, and no one should feed the bears. The effort may be well-meaning, but it's also worthless. The bear problem is not new, and we're sure that a majority of affected residents know what they're supposed to do. If some newcomers do not, they'll learn quickly.

Bears have no natural predators, and the population is destined to grow unless a hunt is held. There was a bear hunt in December 2003, no hunt in 2004, a hunt in 2005 and no hunt in 2006. Sticking to that alternating pattern suggests there should be another hunt in 2007. We're not enthusiastic about hunting bears, but the population needs to be controlled, and we see no other effective way to do that.