As far as the local PD, we are responsiable for the bear if it shows that it had made threats towards people, pets, and or livestock by either attacking, or breaking into homes, thats it. The Denville police had no way of knowing how badly the bear was hurt and they have other work to be done, other then the bear. It's the NJF&W job to take care of the bear's health, not the police. Should the local police call NJF&W to do there job when they pull cars over, and say to them that there over the overtime budget, and that they have other things to do?

As far as the staff at NJF&W having to much comp time and have to use it by July 2004 is false. I'm a state officer myself, your allowed when working overtime to either ask for comp time, cash, or break it down to 50% cash, and 50% comp your choice. Also your allowed up to 100hrs. of comp time, but if you go over they don't say nothin. It's just none sense, lazziness on the staff of NJF&W.

If that was averege Joe, and he saw the bear injured in his yard, and he shot it, you bet the NJF&W would be at his front door within 1 hour charging him for disscharge of a firearm, and taking of wildlife without a permit, and out of season. I say this, you get paid for a job, then do it.