NEW JERSEY ACTION ALERT

Although there are only an estimated 350 black bears in New Jersey, the Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife wants to expose them to sport hunting. Assemblymember Kevin O'Toole has introduced A-2016 to prohibit the hunting of black bears, and the bill has been approved by the Assembly's Environment, Science, and Technology Committee! Also, Senator C. Louis Bassano has introduced a companion bill, S-2071, in the Senate. We need your support for these bills!

Please contact your two State Assemblymembers and one State Senator in Trenton (not federal) and ASK THEM TO SUPPORT A-2016 and S-2071. Write to:

The Honorable __________
State House
125 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

(If you do not know who your State Assemblymembers and State Senator are, call your local library, town or city hall, or League or Women Voters for assistance, or check the Internet at the New Jersey Legislature's home page.)

Here are a few points you may wish to make in your letters or postcards:

• Bear problems can be resolved with increased public education, the proper storage of food and trash, and the use of site-specific measures such as electric fencing around beehives.

• Black bears are very timid and do not pose a danger to people unless they are provoked.

• With only 350 black bears in the state, a sport hunting season, even a limited one, may jeopardize the survival and viability of the bear population.

• Fewer than 2 percent of New Jersey residents are hunters. Most New Jersey residents want to protect black bears rather than add another "game" animal to the hunters' hit list.

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