To the editor
The development boom of the 1980’s has resulted in changes to the wildlife habitat and huntable land in the Garden State. According to Robert McDowell, Director of Fish and Wildlife, the Division became very aggressive in acquiring land for Wildlife Management Areas and providing places for hunters to practice shooting firearms and bows.
Throughout the state, there are more than 750,000 acres of public land available to deer hunters. In addition, over 80 percent of state forest and parks, 325,000 acres administered by the New Jersey Division of Forests and Parks are open to hunting. The semi-tamed animals in these state parks that were once protected are now being gunned down. This also promotes the interest of hunters by having abundant game to shoot at.
Hunters are now allowed to hunt one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. Over the last two years, hunting season started two weeks earlier and was extended two weeks and two days longer.
Currently, there is a bill in legislation to include hunting on Sundays. Six days a week, six months of the year we hear the guns and are put at risk. It is difficult enough to keep a child indoors; our deer, too, are beleaguered by Fish and Game’s killing program. Why not give us all at least one day of peace during hunting season?
Public lands are acquired by the townships, with taxpayer’s money. On one hand this will help curb development, however some local townships allow the hunters’ justification to kill on these lands.
The rights of the majority of taxpayers and non-consumptive wildlife enthusiasts such as bird-watchers, hikers, and campers are being superceded by the desires of over-zealous hunting interests.
As it is, the 98 percent of the non-hunting population cannot even enjoy our beautiful woods without fear of being killed or wounded by hunters. Already there have been many accidents this hunting season in New Jersey. Someone hit by a stray bullet only becomes a statistic, unlike some one killed by a non-hunter.
The state laws already provide hunters with too much access to land and hunting time. Now there are various proposals underway to extend hunting to Sundays, and to additional public land. Isn’t it time that we provide more weight to the desires of non-hunters in this state?
Hillsborough