Post by Woody Williams on Oct 28, 2006 21:56:39 GMT -5
NJ Gov. Will Not Approve Bear Hunt
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New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine plans to cancel the 2006 black bear hunt by refusing to sign the state’s hunting and fishing regulations.
Gov. Corzine, who is a staunch opponent of the state’s bear season, refuses to approve a routine five-year renewal of state fish and wildlife regulations. The measure, which regulates hunting and fishing in New Jersey, calls for annual black bear hunts through 2009.
“The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of bear hunting in New Jersey,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Our legal team is evaluating the situation to determine our options in protecting the hunt.”
The USSAF and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs sued the DEP and its Commissioner, Bradley Campbell, when the Commissioner cancelled the 2004 black bear hunt. The sportsmen’s groups argued that the council’s authority to set hunting seasons is not subject to a DEP veto. A lower court agreed, but the Supreme Court handed the authority to the Commissioner.
In 2003, when the state initially approved its bear season, the USSAF battled antis’ legal challenges to stop the hunt. It has been in court each year since to protect the hunt.
This year’s bear season is scheduled to begin Dec. 4.
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New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine plans to cancel the 2006 black bear hunt by refusing to sign the state’s hunting and fishing regulations.
Gov. Corzine, who is a staunch opponent of the state’s bear season, refuses to approve a routine five-year renewal of state fish and wildlife regulations. The measure, which regulates hunting and fishing in New Jersey, calls for annual black bear hunts through 2009.
“The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of bear hunting in New Jersey,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Our legal team is evaluating the situation to determine our options in protecting the hunt.”
The USSAF and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs sued the DEP and its Commissioner, Bradley Campbell, when the Commissioner cancelled the 2004 black bear hunt. The sportsmen’s groups argued that the council’s authority to set hunting seasons is not subject to a DEP veto. A lower court agreed, but the Supreme Court handed the authority to the Commissioner.
In 2003, when the state initially approved its bear season, the USSAF battled antis’ legal challenges to stop the hunt. It has been in court each year since to protect the hunt.
This year’s bear season is scheduled to begin Dec. 4.
