ACTION STILL NEEDED! Please continue calling and e-mailing NJ-DEP Commissioner Robert Martin Phone: 609-292-2885 E-mail: commissioner@dep.nj.gov 1. Urge him not to sign the 2015 Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan, effectively canceling the bear hunt. 2. Ask friends and family to do the same. Share on FB, Twitter, and other social media. 3. Sign our petition. ASK CHRIS CHRISTIE TO SUPPORT BEAR SMART NJ In 2009, during his run for governor, Chris Christie promised hunters, a shrinking minority, a bear hunt and has since twice delivered on that promise. In 2015, he needs to support Bear Smart legislation, which a growing majority is behind. New Jersey already has a Black Bear Feeding Ban law, but unfortunately, it is loop-hole ridden and enforcement is poor to non-existent. Because of the vast amount of unnatural food still accessible in bear county, bears continue to be invited into human environments. S687/A4017 the Bear Smart Bill, sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak, will result in a meaningful and enforceable law to reduce the incidence of human/bear interaction thereby reducing nuisance complaints. Bear Smart programs which reduce human-generated foods (unsecured trash, bait, seeds) can be highly successful in separating black bears and humans. Case studies proved that when food was unavailable, bears were capable of living in close proximity to humans without conflict. (Wildlife Conservation Society 2008) S687/A4017 the Bear Smart Bill would correct the failure to organize, implement, and enforce nonlethal solutions preferred by the majority of New Jersey voters. Let Christie know the above and ask him to put his full support behind this sensible legislation. Governor Chris Christie PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625-0001 Phone: 609-292-6000 Fax: 609-292-3454 Webmail Thank you for your dedication to our bears! Kimberly NJ Bear Group Volunteer http://www.bearsmartnj.org/ Please join us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/BEAR-Group-119587498075653/timeline/