Originally Posted by
Arden
About the bear "problem" in NJ and elsewhere. I feel that man is in the wrong in pushing his habitat into the wilderness. If we need more space in our cities, we can build up instead of out. However, it is probably less expensive, and more desirable to build new communities in unpopulated areas. Some prefer to live on the outskirts of the city, while still taking advantage of what the city has to offer. They jump into their cars, and clog the highways each workday, but feel that the commute is worth the hassle so they can live far from the city.
I suppose those who advocate a hunt to control the black bear population have a point, but as was also said, if we hadn't already eliminated many of the bear's food sources, there would be no need for a hunt. Except for the "bear rug" in the den, what other use is there for a killed bear? I've had venison once, and didn't like it. I would think bear would be even less tasty.
It was tragic that the Indian student died as a result of the bear attack, but he and the group made at least two serious mistakes that day: First, they split up, and second, he ran from the bear. At least that's what I read on the incident.
The only "encounters" I have had with black bears were non-threatening for either me or the bear. I was at a good distance, and gave the bear plenty of room to saunter away. I was quite impressed by a large black bear I saw at the Silvermine picnic area in Harriman park a few years ago. He was several hundred feet from me, was just sauntering through the picnic area looking for scraps I guess, checked me out for a second, then continued on his way. I waited until he was out of sight before I continued across his path.
Another time I was bike riding in the Lehigh Gorge in the Poconos when I came across a mother bear and two cubs. The mother and cubs were on opposite sides of the bike path, and I knew better than to cross their path, so I waited until they had all left.
My point is that all it takes is common sense, and a little bit of education for a human to do the right thing when encountering a bear, or other large animal.
Oh, and one more thing: I have been using a bear canister on my backpacking treks rather than hanging my food. Despite the canister's nearly 3 lbs weight, I prefer it, and I believe that more parks are requiring them, because the bears are learning to take down even a well hung bear bag.
Arden