Hunting bills spark anger in N.J. residents

We, along with thousands of people across New Jersey are angry and extremely opposed to bill S802/A1669, which will allow hunting on Sunday with bow and arrow, five months out of the year (mid-September to late February) in the wildlife management areas.

Presently, the bow hunters are allowed six days out of the week to hunt. Now they want seven days a week to hunt with no regard to the rest of us. The Senate and Assembly passed this bill. How many residents knew about this bill? Our senators and assembly people made a choice to represent only one small group of people — the bow and arrow hunters. For that they shall be held accountable. You can visit the state website to find how your senator and assembly people voted by going to www.njleg.state.nj.us/Default.asp.

We've heard the hunters stating there have not been any "documented accidents" between bow hunters and the public and we can easily co-exist. Let us state for the record why there have not been accidents as of yet. The vast majority of people are intelligent enough to know not to go to the wildlife management areas when hunters are present. We will not take the risk of being shot. Sunday is the only safe day in which hunters cannot hunt.

This bill now sits on Gov. Corzine's desk. If you oppose the bill, please take one minute to call and urge the governor not to sign this bill into law at 609-292-6000. This bill will affect thousands who enjoy the wildlife management areas. We need to make our voices loud and clear. No hunting on Sunday.

Many hunters are peddling their lies to the residents of New Jersey, stating they purchased the wildlife management areas. Let's set the record straight. We the taxpayers, under the Green Acres Bond Act, purchased a total of 63 wildlife management areas and partially purchased another 45, which amounts to a grand total of 108. Fish, Game and Wildlife, on the other hand, purchased 12 and partially purchased 39 others (with a considerable amount of money from the taxpayers, through the Green Acres Bond Act). We also want to state that over 66 percent of the wildlife management area acreage was purchased with Green Acres Bond Act money. Since many residents enjoy the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, we want everyone to be made aware it was purchased entirely by the taxpayers of New Jersey. The hunters did not pay one dime for it. All the information can be verified @ http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/w maland.htm.

We want to make the public aware of one other extremely dangerous hunting bill being snuck under our noses — bill S976/A595, which will allow bow hunters to hunt within 150 feet of your homes, barns, offices, etc. where hunting is permitted. The Assembly already passed this bill. Your senator will be voting on this bill very soon. Do you want your children, yourself or your pets to face the risk of bow hunters hunting within 150 feet of your home? If you are opposed, you must call your senator and tell them to vote no on this bill or you will hold them accountable. Don't forget at election time, to hold accountable, your assembly people if they voted yes on this bill. Even New York law states a hunter cannot hunt within 500 feet of a home, building, etc.

If either bill is signed into law, there is absolutely no doubt in our minds, causalities will occur. Please take the time to research and call your representatives. Your lives could depend on it.

Bob and Betty Bailey

Millstone