New Jersey Bear Hunting Poll

Evaluates New Jersey voters’ opinions of bear hunting and the possibility of banning it, including changes in opinion upon hearing various anti-hunting positioning statements.

30% of respondents ‘favor’ ‘allowing the hunting of bears,’ 45% ‘oppose’ it. The only demographics to favor allowing the hunting of bears more than oppose it were: males, those with hunters in the household, and republicans. The demographic least amenable to it was women (20.4% support, 51.1% opposition) Knowing that ‘the primary reason people hunt bears is for trophy,’ 42% are ‘much more supportive’ of the ban and 20% are ‘somewhat more supportive’ of it.

Knowing that ‘bear populations have increased in New Jersey in recent years and they have become more of a threat,’ 19% are ‘much less supportive’ of the ban and 23% are ‘somewhat less supportive’ of it.

Knowing that ‘one of the main hunting methods proposed would be bear baiting, whereby food, grease, jelly donuts or animal carcasses would be set out to attract bears. Hunters would then shoot bears as they come to feed,’ 38% are ‘much more supportive’ of the ban and 18% are ‘somewhat more supportive of it.

Knowing that ‘reports of conflicts between people and bears, such as bears raiding bee hives, bird feeders and trash cans, have been increasing,’ 19% are ‘much less supportive’ of the ban and 27% are ‘somewhat less supportive’ of the ban.

Knowing that ‘estimates are that there are only about 1000 bears in all of New Jersey, and some are proposing to allow 75% of them to be killed,’ 39% are ‘much more supportive’ of the ban and 21% are ‘somewhat more supportive’ of the ban.

After knowing all of the above facts, 26% ‘favor’ ‘allowing bear hunting’ and 61% ‘oppose’ it.  The only demographics to favor it more than oppose it afterwards were: those with hunters in their household (47.8%-37%) and those who expressed support at the beginning of the survey (78.1%-14.8%).  The strongest opposition afterwards (other than those who previously opposed it) came from 18-29 year olds (23.7%-73.3%).  Of those who were undecided at the outset, 6.7% favor it and 55.8% oppose it.