The Return of the Wild (Conservation worked. Humans are going to have to learn how to kill again)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday, December 5, 2003 | GEOFFREY NORMAN

[presidio9]

After decades of assuming that civilization is bad for wild animals and nature -- as seen on PBS -- humans are learning that things can go the other way. It's not a pretty sight.

Consider New Jersey, where, if things go according to plan, some 7,000 hunters will take to the woods next week and kill up to 500 bears. The rationale for the state's first bear hunt in more than 30 years is simple enough -- too many bears. In 1995, there were 285 complaints about bears plundering birdfeeders, getting into the garbage, menacing pets and generally behaving like bears in territory claimed by humans. Last year, there were some 1,175 such complaints.

[IGOTMINE]

Ted Nugent call your answering service. You're needed in New Jersey!

"Oh Fred Bear, take me back!"

[King Prout]

That New Jersey has any bears at all probably comes as a surprise to many people who don't live there and think of the place as one large suburb toxic waste dump

there, that's better.

[IncPen]

For an interesting FReeper connection, check this out... I posted your article and a response email from a friend who lives in NJ ...

Black bear sightings on the rise (more on FReeper's son and dog attack)

[EggsAckley]

We've had a complete turn-around in the residents of my mountain community. Now they are all city folks who moved to the forest but have no concept what it MEANS to live in a forest.

They resist cutting trees and branches that are threatening our road because they think the trees are "pretty." They just don't get it.

[BCR #226]

I think what most people don't understand is that we, the humans have wiped out many of the predator species that controlled much of the population of many of these animals setting into motion a steady spiral of events leading to this.

First, we killed things like the wolves and other animals that preyed on deer. Then the deer population shot up. Now that hunting has been curbed, we find ourselves with a huge deer population and the predators are starting to make a hard comeback.

All I can say is that I do my part. I try to get at least a couple of deer a season. So far, I'm doing well this year.

Mike

[Pharmboy]

I moved to northern Morris County in NJ last year after living for 22 years in Manhattan. About 6 weeks ago, my neighbor watched my 11 y/o daughter get off the school bus and twenty minutes later a 400 lb black bear was on her lawn. The hunt can't come soon enough for me...

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[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.

[Jim Cane]

That way, if they encounter a bear, they can throw a sandwich on the ground to distract the animal and make a getaway.

Push the slow, chubby kid down and run like hell. That way you get to keep your lunchables.

[BillF]

Fifty-seven bears entered homes. Two attacked people, including a two-year-old.

Say it ain't so, Yogi!

[hocndoc]

It's more of an irony ping.

I just met with a group of advocates against sexual violence. We had a problem choosing a "vegetarian friendly" restaurant. There were several mentions of "emergency contraception." It seems the most vocal vegetarians have dogs. One vegetarian who mentioned emergency contraception at least once and who has 2 dogs chose not to go to the restaurant with us. (To further the irony, *I* couldn't bear the thought of eating veal. But at least I laughed at myself.)