For Immediate release
September 5, 2023
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Tomorrow: NJDEP & Fish and Game Council Likely to Green Light Inhumane Bear Hunt 5 More Years
Tomorrow, Wednesday September 6th, the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is to hold a public hearing to approve a bear management plan that would continue bear hunts until 2028. This decision will decide whether or not the DEP will move ahead with the policy that was approved last winter under an emergency status, and could green light hunting bears in NJ for 5 more years.
NJ’s basis for an emergency back in December did not justify a hunt, especially when comparing cases in 2008-2011 that were nearly twice as high as in 2022, and no bear hunt occurred in 2008 and 2009.
The Sierra Club does not support another meaningless bear hunt and instead urges the NJDEP to move forward with an effective non-lethal bear management plan. The NJ Chapter and other environmental advocates have all asked NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette to reject the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, and will be testifying tomorrow against the policy.
New Jerseyans feel very strongly in opposing the black bear hunt. The NJDEP must listen to the public and protect one of our state’s keystone species. Join the virtual Fish and Game Council public meeting tomorrow at 1pm here.
“Extending New Jersey’s black bear hunt for another 5 years is unacceptable. The hunt was imposed last winter under emergency conditions, and the inhumane and antiquated hunt is not justified at all by science,” said New Jersey Sierra Club Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot. “The people of New Jersey do not want this hunt. Governor Murphy campaigned to end the hunt and since then has flipped on his promise to protect one of our most treasured keystone species. We urge the NJDEP to reject the plan and instead move toward an effective non-lethal management strategy that would protect bears and people.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.