Hunting and Fishing: Black Bear Warning; Free Surf Fishing Lessons; Furbearer; Gov. Guomo;
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
North Jersey Residents! Beware of Black Bears
The NJDEP is advising residents and outdoor enthusiasts in North Jersey, especially in areas regularly frequented by black bears, to strictly adhere to guidelines for eliminating or securing potential black bear food sources during the fall period when bears feed extensively to build fat layers for hibernation.
The following simple rules for living in black bear country--particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, northern Passaic, northern Somerset and western Bergen counties --will help minimize conflicts with black bears:
* Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. If not using bear-proof garbage containers, store all garbage in containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed.
* Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before.
* Wash garbage containers with a disinfectant at least once a week to eliminate odors. Draping ammonia or bleach soaked cloth over containers will help to eliminate odors.
* Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles.
* Feed birds only from December 1 to April 1, when bears are least active.
* When feeding birds when bears are active, suspend bird feeders at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
* Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding.
* Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears.
* Do not leave food unattended while camping or picnicking.
* Store all food items in coolers inside vehicles where they can not be seen or in bear-proof food storage lockers at State Park facilities
* Never feed a black bear. It is dangerous and against the law.
* Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to your local police department or to the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (877) 927-6337.
For more information see the NJDEP news release athttp://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2011/11_0117.htm .
FREE SURF FISHING LESSONS FOR WOMEN
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is offering a one-day women's surf fishing clinic on October 1 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park, NJ.
No prior surf fishing experience is needed. Registration is open to women at least 18 years old. Participants will learn the basics of surf fishing. Topics on rods, reels, weights, line, tackle, knots, bait, fish identification, casting, reading the surf, and caring for your catch will be covered in the morning. The afternoon will be spent on the beach using techniques learned to fish the surf. The workshop will take place rain or shine, warm or cold. Participants should be prepared with appropriate clothing, as well as other convenience items such as sun screen, sunglasses, hat, and foul weather gear.
Since the registration deadline of September 26 is rapidly approaching, those interested in registering should call Karen Leskie at (609) 748- 4347 by the deadline date. A check for $15.00 made out to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife will be requested to reserve a spot. This fee will be refunded to you at the class but will be nonrefundable for those not attending. Participants will also be able to register for the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament ( http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm ) held the following day. The cost for the tournament is $10 for adults; equipment will be supplied to those who participate in the workshop, but participants will have to supply their own bait.
NJ FURBEARER MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER RELEASED
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Upland Game and Furbearer Project is proud to announce the publication of the 'New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter'. Newsletters will be published in PDF format on the Division website on a quarterly basis (on or about Oct. 1, Jan. 1, Apr. 1 and July 1) and will contain information relevant to the State's furbearing species, management, research and other items of interest to the trapping community.
The view the inaugural Fall, 2011 issue, visithttp://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trapping_info.htm#newsletter on the division's website.
Gov. Cuomo made his comments during a Harlem breakfast prior to the African-American Day parade, according to the New York Daily News. He reportedly said closing some prisons would release more funding for local programs.
“If Andrew Cuomo thinks keeping thugs out of prison, so he can pump the money into some community program while pushing for further disarmament of potential crime victims makes sense,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, “he’s been breathing too much of the same air as the mayor of New York City. The other day,
Gov. Cuomo also complained that we could send a person to Harvard University for the same amount it costs to incarcerate them.
“Well,” Gottlieb said, “that certainly makes sense. Let’s just move thugs to college campuses. Maybe the governor thinks criminals will climb the ladder of success by robbing a more affluent class of victims.
“Andrew Cuomo and Michael Bloomberg apparently live in the same fantasy world,” Gottlieb said. “They want to throw government money around, either to invent make-work jobs that accomplish nothing, or to pad some social program at the expense of much-needed jail space, while working overtime to disarm law-abiding citizens. They’re not in the State of New York; they’re in a state of confusion.”
With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is one of the nation’s premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States. The Citizens Committee can be reached by phone at (425) 454-4911, on the Internet at www.ccrkba.org or by email to [email protected].