New Jersey Bear Hunt May Remain Open on State Land
(Trenton) " New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey has indicated that state lands
will remain open to bear hunting.
Gannett News Service State Bureau in New Jersey quoted the governor upon
learning that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would withhold $2 million
in federal conservation funding if the scheduled bear hunt is prohibited
on state lands, as has been threatened by an administration official.
The federal agency"s decision is in response to Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley Campbell"s decision to
close specific state lands to bear hunting.
Federal wildlife officials have warned the New Jersey Division of Fish and
Wildlife that closing state lands that were intended for hunting and had
been purchased or maintained with federal sportsmen"s dollars constitutes
a violation that puts the state in jeopardy of losing federal funding.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distributes excise taxes on sporting
arms and ammunition to state wildlife agencies to aid in habitat
restoration and other wildlife conservation programs.
"It is a welcome sign that Governor Codey is not willing to sacrifice
conservation programs to support the DEP Commissioner"s private war to
rule the New Jersey Fish and Game Council," said Rob Sexton U.S.
Sportsmen"s Alliance Foundation"s vice president for government affairs.
"Perhaps now the door is open for the new governor to meet with sportsmen
leaders to discuss the future of fish and wildlife programs including
hunting and angling."
RE: Campbell loses again State lands open for bear!!
STATE LAND IS NOT OPEN AS OF NOW GOV CODY SAID HE WOULD NOT LOSE 2 MILLION IN FEDREAL AID BUT HAS NOT OFFICALY OPENED THE LAND THE PROCESS IS STILL IN THE COURTS.
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Life Member N R A
Life Member N J F S C
Life Member North American Hunting Club
Member D U
Campbell loses again State lands open for bear!!
