N.J. Supreme Court Calls Off Bear Hunt

AP via Yahoo ^ | 12/02/04 | JEFF LINKOUS

[ZGuy]

TRENTON, N.J. - The state's highest court called off New Jersey's bear hunt Thursday, four days before the season is scheduled to start.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state needs to establish a proper management program for bears before it can allow them to be hunted.

More than 300 black bears were killed in last year's hunt — the first bear season in 33 years in New Jersey. Proponents maintain another season is needed because of increasing contact between the animals and humans in the northern, rural parts of of the state.

But state environmental chief Bradley Campbell has opposed the 2004 bear season, saying the state should be allowed to manage the bear population with a contraception program and public awareness campaigns for residents who live near heavy bear populations.

"What they said was right on target," said Jeff Tittel, head of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club (news - web sites). "This is a victory for good government but it's also a victory for the bears. It's the best Christmas gift they could have this year."

Rob Sexton, vice president of government affairs for the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, said he was shocked by the ruling. He said wildlife experts on the council have spent years developing a sound bear management plan.

"I think it's a flawed ruling," Sexton said.

[ZGuy]

A. Hunting the bears IS part of a proper management program.

B. The judges just couldn't resist implementing another sex-ed program that distributes contraceptives I guess. I think the judges should be forced to hand out the condoms and make sure the bears are using them correctly.

[crazyhorse691]

The judges just couldn't resist implementing another sex-ed program that distributes contraceptives I guess. I think the judges should be forced to hand out the condoms and make sure the bears are using them correctly.
_______________________________________________________________

Exactly my feelings. Contraceptives for bears, oh my.

[weenie]

I didn't have a chance to read this article, but I think the NJ Supreme Court should be sufficiently busy so as to not have time for such frivolity.

Remind me to stay in doors that day...lawyers with guns, not a pretty picture.

[AdamSelene235]

Bradley Campbell has opposed the 2004 bear season, saying the state should be allowed to manage the bear population with a contraception program and public awareness campaigns for residents who live near heavy bear populations.

I nominate Mr. Campbell for Bear Castration duty. Due to budget cutbacks tranquilizers will not be available.

[Clemenza]

Remember that many of these justices were appointed by REPUBLICAN Christie Toad Witless.

[sgtbono2002]

When the bears reach the p[opulation of the deer and are out in the street tearing up cars, take this article back and show it to them.

[Gritty]

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state needs to establish a proper management program for bears before it can allow them to be hunted.

Isn't this the province of the NJ Legislature and not the courts?

[rcocean]

NJ is overtaking California as the kookiest state in the union.

What article is the NJ constitution gives the NJ supreme court cognizance over bear hunting?

[umgud]

I propose will kill the bears and make rugs for poor children, give the meat to the poor. Hell, let poor people hunt them.

[Godzilla]

I think the judges should be forced to hand out the condoms and make sure the bears are using them correctly.

The problem is that the bears would first eat the banana then eat the judge..........then again maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing......

[Continental Soldier]

I wouldn't be surprised if bear hunters went ahead in spite of the court ruling. After all, in New Jersey, the law doesn't really mean anything -- just a look back at the Toricelli campaign switcheroo should be evidence enough of that.

[Williams]

The bears are starting to injure people, their population is exploding, NJ is the most densely populated state. Just what kooky principle are these judges preserving? That bears cannot be controlled. And yet NJ has deer hunting every year. Which animal is more defenseless?

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[Cobra64]

I've got it, by golly!

Send the bears to Princeton University for a sex-ed class!. That's the ticket. /mega-sarcasm

[Bars4Bill]

"This is a victory for good government but it's also a victory for the bears. It's the best Christmas gift they could have this year."

That does it. I'm going to alert the ACLU that bears celebrate Christmas in New Jersey.

[dr_who_2]

Perhaps they should trap and release the bears in the chambers of the NJ Supreme Court.

[Coleus]

The dimwit witch who actually tried to tell the President what to do while EPA Commissioner. What a dope, must have poisoned her brain with drinking too much water polluted with arsenic.

[MissouriConservative]

"saying the state should be allowed to manage the bear population with a contraception program"

Passing out condoms to bears? That should make for interesting video.

[Alouette]

N.J. Supreme Court Calls Off Bear Hunt

N.J. bears do not call off human hunt.

[BJungNan]

What does a court have to do with the State's management of its resources?

The governor, the state legislature should quickly make the announcement that the Bear seaon is on and tell hunters they can ignore the court order, that the court has no jurisdiction.

At some point the representative branch of government has got to step up and exercise its authority. Until it does, the judiciary is going to get deeper and deeper into the administrative functions of government.