http://www.nj.com/sussex-count...ear_if_paid_500.html



Pay $500, save a bear: Hunters' auction gets no takers

Updated Dec 13, 6:26 AM; Posted Dec 12



By Rob Jennings rjennings@njadvancemedia.com,
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A sporting goods shop owner drew plenty of attention, but no takers, after he and two other hunters offered to sit out this week's extended N.J. bear hunt if hunt opponents agreed to fork over at least $500 apiece.

Mountain Mike's Sports Shop in Hardyston announced an auction in a Facebook post Monday morning but called it off at noon Tuesday after not receiving any bids, owner Michael Bush said.



Bush said he and the two other hunters offered to rip up their $2, state-issued hunting permits -- setting a minimum bid of $500 per permit -- and donate all proceeds to a local food pantry and an animal shelter.

"You people say you care about the bears so much. Let's see," Bush said before withdrawing the proposal.

In response, N.J. Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel denounced the failed auction as a "cynical game."

"It sounds like they're trying to ransom the bears. More importantly, they're trying to discredit the people who oppose the hunt," said Tittel, who group had urged Gov. Chris Christie to cancel the 2017 hunt.


The 2017 hunt was scheduled to end Sunday, but is being extended for four days starting Wednesday because the results fell short of the minimum threshold spelled out in the regulations.


A total of 382 bears were killed during separate, six-day hunts in October and December.

With the auction out of the way, Bush said he "absolutely" plans to participate in the extended hunt.

"All week until Saturday," Bush said, adding that he has killed 4 bears since N.J. resumed bear hunting in 2003.

Bush is one of the two hunters who filed harassments complaint against Susan Kehoe, a bear hunt opponent, last year after she allegedly posted on Facebook that she "believed" one of them killed a local bear.

A municipal court judge acquitted Kehoe in August.

Bush declined to identify the other two hunters who offered to rip up their permits in the auction.

Asked about why he set $500 as the starting bid, Bush -- who said he unsuccessfully hunted a bear last week -- said that represents the value of the meat from an individual bear.

"I'm not a trophy hunter. I never will be a trophy hunter. I hunt for the meat," he said.

Animal Protection League of N.J. Executive Director Angi Metler questioned the motivation behind the auction.

Metler said her organization is open to donating bear-proof garbage cans, but would not consider trying to pay off a hunter.

"We would be interested in raising money for something that's practical," Metler said.



State officials are expected to announce later Sunday whether the 2017 hunt will be extended


The hunt is taking place in eight northern counties and may be the last in a while.

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has said he will halt the hunts that have occurred annually under Gov. Chris Christie.

quote:

Animal Protection League of N.J. Executive Director Angi Metler questioned the motivation behind the auction.

Of course they did not buying these two tags show what Hippocrates they are.

When it comes to wildlife conservation the antis are quick to open their mouths, but the never seem willing to open their wallets.

Most of the serious hunters I know plan their lives around their conservation spending.