December 8th marks the beginning of bear season in New Jersey, and to make sure hunters take full advantage, state officials have begun a pro-bear meat campaign.
December 8th marks the beginning of bear season in New Jersey, and to make sure hunters take full advantage, state officials have begun a pro-bear meat campaign.
It was announced that all individuals who show up at an official weigh-in station with a black bear in tow will be given a special cookbook.
This isn’t the first time such a gift has been offered.
Recipes were handed out in 2011 as well and included instructions for whipping up bear meatloaf, teriyaki jerky, and oven-barbecued ribs.
The culinary manual also included safety tips as raw bear meat can carry some pretty unpleasant diseases and parasites.
According to the New York Times, the underlying motivation for offering the incentive is population control.
In recent years the number of bears in the state has been rising, and changes in their behavior are evident.
Typically, they avoid humans but as of late the bears have become more aggressive and one is believed to have killed a young hiker.
New Jersey officials are hoping that their campaign attracts a large number of first-time bear hunters.
As the endeavor is expensive and exhausting, few people engage in it repeatedly.