Orchard school bear
“Ridgewood” Bear shot in New York State
Written by Jim Stabile
Outdoors Columnist
A hunter shot a New Jersey bear Nov. 23, even though our season doesn’t open until Dec. 9.
The legal kill was made in New York, 107 miles from our state, closer to Albany than Ringwood State Park, where the nuisance bruin had been released five months ago after being tranquilized near a Ridgewood school.
New York and Pennsylvania hunters kill dozens of tagged and tattooed New Jersey bears, plus countless more that don’t have identification. They’re killed in neighboring states because of our growing bear overpopulation.
no proof its the bear our former mayor wrestled
Bears cross the Delaware, walk north or go further. One was caught in Connecticut on June 5, 2012. Another went to Maryland’s eastern shore.
They don’t leave New Jersey because there’s not enough food. There’s plenty to eat. Young male bears are forced to leave by bigger, older male bears that don’t want competition for sows during the June breeding season.