This is horrible - 22 yr old killed by bear in West Milford

[cmoran719]

http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/ind...encounter.html

Really sad news here. Stay safe out there everyone!

[acabtp]

very sad but they are apex predators and adult males in NJ start around 250# and range up to 800+# so unfortunately it was only a matter of time before this happened. bear numbers are exploding and the state is being hamstrung on population control by the "save nj bear" group etc. condolences to his family.

[bunker dunker]

were are the tree huggers now!!!!! I want one of them to go to that poor guys family and explain how cute and lovable bears are.

[gwl2oneida]

Unfortunately no one was allowed to carry a legal firearm. A few warning shots would have more than likely been a life saver. Shame on nj lawmakers. As a ny resident I don't consider hiking this time of year without my glock.

[cmoran719]

to be fair this likely would not have happened if the group didn't split up... knowing what to do during an encounter goes a long way

[buzzbaiter]

Bears are not hunters, they are scavengers. This whole story sounds off to me. What five guys you know go for hikes together??? Pretty sure none of you call up your buddies on wednesday and say "hey, lets go hiking this weekend. I'll make sandwiches!"

I got chased about 8-9 years ago in Allamuchy State Park. That bear was on me before I knew it covering a good 300-400 feet in a few seconds. I climbed up a small hill, turned around and it was right there. I threw my pole, yelled/clapped and it stopped and turned away. I climbed up to the road, crossed thru traffic and ran down the shoulder. I then turned around and saw the bear with its paws on the guardrail watching me. That was not fun. Most times they simply turn away or I clap and they run away. This occasion was unusual but left its impact on me as I'm always a bit nervous while out fishing. Being someone who likes to hike miles and miles, I'm often far from safety. My best defense is whistle I carry.

[ScowardNJ]

I'm pretty sure that whole preserve is fenced to limit destruction from deer. I guess the fence wasn't bear proof though.

[bunker dunker]

scavengers my asrs.they are hunters,ask any farmer in northern nj.they do not fear man so we become the pray.do you know what an 800lb black bear
eats........anything he wants.

[Suntzu]

I have similiar experiences to buzzbaiter where they didn't run off but initially showed some aggression. Carry pepperspray now. have never had to use it on a bear but have on coyotes which on more than one occasion have followed me while fishing, getting closer each stop and then flanking me. Very unnerving

[baetis]

The four friends didn't hear him yelling and screaming?