TRENTON — An animal rights activist who sued New Jersey on behalf of black bears in 2007 is going back to court to try to stop a scheduled bear hunt from starting Monday. Lawyer Doris Lin and other activists hope to block the six-day hunt sanctioned by the state in seven northwestern counties to thin the black bear population....
Hunters Mike Tinagero, Anthony Tinagero and Ronald Roberts, of Manchester walk through the woods at Waywayanda State Park in Vernon in this file photo of a bear hunt in 2005.TRENTON — An animal rights activist who sued New Jersey on behalf of black bears in 2007 is going back to court to try to stop a scheduled bear hunt from starting Monday.
Lawyer Doris Lin and other activists hope to block the six-day hunt sanctioned by the state in seven northwestern counties to thin the black bear population.
In 2007, Lin argued successfully that the state's black bear management policy, which called for a hunt, wasn't properly developed. No hunt was held.
In the new lawsuit, she claims little has changed since then.
Environmental Commissioner Bob Martin signed off on this year's hunt, saying it's needed to help control a growing black bear population.
New Jersey had bear hunts in 2003 and 2005, the first since the early 1970s.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. environmental chief refuses to postpone bear hunt
• Most N.J. residents approve of bear hunt, poll says
• Black bear hunt gets final approval from Department of Environmental Protection head
• N.J. Fish and Game Council approves 6-day black bear hunt
• N.J. wildlife officials are expected to re-establish 6-day bear hunt