[Huck]

They said 52 on WOR by the time I was on my way home this evening. I am surprised. I thought the numbers would be lower. My wife was sad. She's rooting for the bears all the way. I guess in some ways I am, too.

[Malsua]

I live 1 mile from the southern edge of Waywanda park. My property butts against the Pequannock watershed.

The bears are thick as thieves around here. You've apparently never had an NBE. Near bear experience. We had 3 house invastion in the past 9 months. The bears have been becoming greater and greater pests.

I don't mind the occasional bear. I mind the fact that the bears routinely walk down the road on garbage pickup day and get the bags of the poor guy who put his trash out 15 minutes too early. Mention putting it out the night before to someone, and you'll get a deep belly laugh from them.

My neighbor who's completely re-building his house put up cameras all over his house that his daughter can examine them before exiting the home. She's 7, his son is under 2.

I exit slowly from the doors and look in all directions before I leave. One experience rounding the house and being so close you can smell the bear (less than 10 feet) cures you completely of any "bear innocence" you might have.

They may look cute and cuddley....until they threaten your children, your house, your animals and you, you simply won't have any understanding at all.

I think 52 or 60 is a good start. I hope some of them are from around here.