Why we do what we do

In the 1970s our state’s bear population was virtually wiped out by trophy hunting, thanks to the pro-hunting stance of the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. 

Because black bears are among the slowest reproducing mammals in North America, it took nearly two decades for the population to recover. And as it did so, more and more people moved into the New Jersey Highlands—fragmenting the very heart of bear country. The need for public awareness was great. And so in 1992, the Bear Education And Resource Group was born.

The mission of the BEAR Group is to teach residents how to live responsibly and peacefully with black bears. We ourselves have been educated by Lynn Rogers. Ph.D., the world's foremost bear expert. And we believe that hunting bears for trophies and sport—under the guise of public safety and to lower bear nuisance complaints—is cruel and unnecessary.

And we practice what we preach. Fully comprised of volunteers, our members serve the public via educational tables and public presentations. We distribute literature to municipalities, camps, schools, and libraries. We’ve developed and trademarked our own CritterCans™—bear resistant trash cans—which we assemble ourselves. And we are available to the public to answer questions about bears and to help homeowners bearproof their property.

We have educated residents throughout the state and have helped generate over 100,000 letters and phone calls against bear hunting. And we have successfully halted bear hunts in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

When necessary, the BEAR Group rescues injured and orphaned cubs and gets them to a wildlife rehabilitator where they receive top care—and eventual release into the wild.

We welcome anyone who shares our goals of education and black bear protection. If you would like to join, please click the “Join Us” link at the top of the page, or any “donate” button. It is only because of our members, that we able to do what we do.

To all our members and prospective members—we thank you—and our black bears thank you.