Put yourself in New Jersey deer hunter's place: Would you have shot the bear? (poll)
Duke of Earl
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Scratch it between the ears when it's head pops up and say "you're such a good boy!" Then give him a treat.
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I like the idea of pissing in its face, whoever said that in the other thread made me laugh picturing it happening lol...
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While I would normally say, you don't know until you are in that persons shoes, in this case I can say absolutely. I've encountered enough bears that behaved "normally" and there was no issue. And all of those encounters while hunting in NJ, I've been on the ground in a blind with a bow. Those bears have been 10-15' in front of me. If one was acting abnormal and I had to make a choice, I would absolutely do what I needed to do to protect myself. Would I shoot to kill? Not sure I would have the chance to question that in the heat of the moment.
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Sorry that Im not alive hun, and soon to be baby, I tried to jingle my keys but the bear still got me. I had my shotgun with me but as you know that is not the way to defend myself in that situation...RIP outdoorslife
...I meant to say that would be a dead bear.
...I meant to say that would be a dead bear.
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I'm not going to 2nd guess the hunter's decision to shoot. He was there & I wasn't.
I've seen curious bears, & I've seen aggressive bears and I wouldn't want to get bit by any black bear ... not even a little one.
It's regrettable that NJ once again diminishes the ability of it's citizens to protect themselves. This has worked well in other states to ward off bears from hunters & other outdoorsmen ...
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Too bad it's not an option here.
I've seen curious bears, & I've seen aggressive bears and I wouldn't want to get bit by any black bear ... not even a little one.
It's regrettable that NJ once again diminishes the ability of it's citizens to protect themselves. This has worked well in other states to ward off bears from hunters & other outdoorsmen ...
Too bad it's not an option here.
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Some here are assuming the bear just climbed up close to the hunter, but the hunter reported it clawed at him and the Division claims it verified his story by seeing claw marks and other evidence. It's one thing when they climb up near you and another if they swipe at you as I'm sure most will agree. Again, none of us was there, but a swipe of the claws from a bear will earn it some slug medicine if it were me.
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Maybe we should send an email to the company along with a copy of the NJ statute that says no more than "3/4 of an oz. can is legal". Maybe they will make a "Jersey Legal" size can? Wasp and bee spray is legal, works better than bear spray anyway.
Although Ramsey outdoor sells the big cans I asked if they were legal to posses in NJ. They said "of course we wouldn't sell it if it wasn't" I know it's not legal because I read the law... same place that sold me a Gamo Whisper with the built in silencer that "was legal" when I bought it. Had to give it to my cousin in Arizona. Thanks Ramsey Outdoor for being so sure of the laws lol...
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Well it seems like 81%+ agree with the hunter myself included as far as my own experience the ONLY time I had a bear in the tree with me I did shoot him but he got down quick when I finally turned to look behind me as he came up the back of the tree.
Nose to nose we were maybe 3 feet away he then scrambled down to the ground and started to run but stopped at 10 yards and turned sideways to get another look at "the big ugly thing in the tree" he found out the cat was not the only thing curiosity killed because he was right in recurve range.
Nose to nose we were maybe 3 feet away he then scrambled down to the ground and started to run but stopped at 10 yards and turned sideways to get another look at "the big ugly thing in the tree" he found out the cat was not the only thing curiosity killed because he was right in recurve range.
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Yea, you would have scared the bear, right into your lap.
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I know that the other side doesn't believe this but we all know that most of us care a great deal for the animals that we hunt and never would want to hurt an animal for no reason. Whats the chance this guy was just a bear hater that couldn't wait to be cornered just so he could shoot him
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