interesting up dates

[freedom]

Law Enforcement: Acting Chief Chicketano reported on a big deer poaching case that started on the Rutgers University campus in late January. A white van first observed on video surveillance was linked to poaching on the campus. Further investigation revealed an extensive poaching situation in the local area and elsewhere. Two individuals were killing deer and using the meat for deli products. The owner of the deli was charged with 27 violations and his accomplish was charged with 12 violations. The deli was closed down as a result of the investigation. Additional details will be available in the future.
Executive Session: The regular meeting was suspended at approximately 11:45 am order to go into executive session to discuss three requests for license restorations. The regular meeting resumed after a break at approximately 12:40 pm.
Wildlife Management: Assistant Director Herrighty stated that the preliminary deer harvest was up 7% in the southern region and more than 7% in both the central and northern regions. Winter bear den work is underway and some bears have been reported active in northern NJ. A total of 139 coyotes were reported harvested through February 10. Deer hunters accounted for the majority of kills. Only one coyote was taken during the special season. Trappers accounted for 19 coyote kills. The mid-winter waterfowl survey was completed and 414,158 waterfowl of 29 species were counted. The Division is working with Pheasants Forever to trap and transfer wild pheasant to Six Mile Run. A research article titled "Life on the Edge: Bobwhite Ecology on the Northern Periphery of Their Range" was published in the Journal of Wildlife Management. Research Scientist Castelli will be retiring at the end of April.

[freedom]

Agriculture: Councilman Puskas reported that farmers in central NJ are experiencing significant damage from Canada geese and that something must be done about it. He stated that the goose damage is becoming an economic disaster for farmers. Councilman Link stated that farmers in southern NJ are beginning to plant cold weather crops. NJ. He also requested information on S-2649 which would prohibit deer feeding. Assistant Director Herrighty provided additional details on the current version of the bill and noted that it does not prohibit baiting deer for hunting purposes. The bill also establishes a check-of donation on license application for the venison donation and expands deer damage control permits to forest land meeting stringent requirements. Councilman Brodhecker reported that snow geese had left the northern region

[freedom]

Public Comments: Liz Thompson, NJ Farm Bureau, reiterated the problem with Canada geese in NJ and commented on the baiting issue. Animal protectionist Barbara Sachau stated that NJ government was over regulating and had too much "authority". Sachau also commented on "compensatory rebound" (increased birth rates due to improved animal health). Animal rights activist, Janet Piszar, requested that the Division report all bear mortalities and not just the bear harvest (591). Piszar also stated that she had not received requested information on the cost of the bear hunt and complained about the lack of transparency of the minutes from the November and December 2009 game committee meetings

[freedom]

Information and Education: No report. Acting Chairman Burke mentioned that he had been contacted regarding the trapping course to be held in Cumberland filling up quickly (60 people). It was noted by instructor Ron Diehl, who was in the audience, that 5 instructors will be on hand and that a few walk-ins could be accommodated

we're lucky here @ buck barn to have had a heads up on this class,

hope ya'll find some of this worth the read

[njbowhunter]

Gotta love that Janet Piszar:thdown: