 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controversial bear hunt ends successfully (12/13/2003) New Jersey's first black bear hunt in over thirty years ended today and accomplished its purpose - to slow the expansion of a growing bear population. The hunt was successful in spite of a rash of last minute lawsuits and other actions by animal rights groups. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife reports that sportsmen took approximately 300 black bears during the week-long season, which ran December 8 through 13. In recent weeks, anti-hunters filed lawsuits to stop the bear hunt on federal and state lands. Federal and state court rulings favored sportsmen and allowed the hunt to continue on public properties. The Sportsmen's Legal Defense Fund (SLDF), the legal arm of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, led the defense on behalf of the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and individual New Jersey sportsmen. "It took a monumental effort by sportsmen to keep this hunt in place," said Larry Lehman, president of the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. "And as expected, the hunters also did their part in the field, responsibly and efficiently. This was a huge step in a long term plan to control the bear population for everyone's benefit." Animal rights groups spent this last day of the hunt protesting at several areas around the state. The protests were lightly attended and basically did little to disrupt or affect the hunt's outcome. "Keeping this season in place has been one of the more trying and difficult tasks in which we have ever been involved," said Bud Pidgeon, president of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. "A flood of misinformation spread by anti-hunters permeated the courts, the administration and the legislature. Only the resolve of organized sportsmen across New Jersey made this season possible. Again, sportsmen have shown they are a powerful force. Every citizen in New Jersey has benefited from their work." The New Jersey Federation is used to fighting for New Jersey's hunting heritage and understands the importance of the help they received. "We could not have won this fight without the help of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance," said Lehman. "They provided the expertise and financial help that our sportsmen needed to get the job done. The bottom line is that they know how to win and can help anyone across the country get the job done." The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868. CopyrightÓ U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org
|
|
|
|
|
