Hunters, not bears, more of a threat to us. Duh.

[Guest guest]

Although this is in the first person, it is not my personal story. Just thought it was worth knowing. Like we didn't already.

 

 

 

 

 

We are being told black bears should be hunted in order to keep the forests safe, because the bears sometimes raid residents' garbage cans and are seen near backyards that are at the edge of their habitat. Newspapers have reported a few instances where bears have entered or broken into garages or storage sheds because they smelled food — mostly bird or dog food and garbage inside.

 

 

 

 

I am thankful Gov. Jon S. Corzine continues to stand his ground, along with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

There is one very important fact that those in favor of hunting never mention: Hunting presents a far greater danger to people than bears.. For every person killed by a black bear in North America, there are at least 200 killed in hunting accidents.

 

On the average, one person is killed by a black bear every two years on this continent. In the United States, 100 people die in hunting mishaps every year.

 

Just two months ago, a woman was shot to death in Washington by a youth who mistook her for a bear. Recently I was hiking in the National Delaware Recreation Area with five others. We heard what we thought sounded like a firearm discharging. As it turned out, we were right..

 

People face much greater danger from hunting than black bears. I have yet to hear any hunter admit this undeniable fact.

 

JEAN MOLLACK

Phillipsburg