Charges Against New Jersey Bear Hunter Dropped

[vermonster13]

A New Jersey municipal court judge has dismissed charges filed by an anti-hunting activist against a New Jersey bear hunter.  The sportsman subsequently dropped counter complaints against the protestor, who still faces hunter harassment charges by the State.



On June 27, animal rights activist Angela Metler and sportsman William Devine dropped charges against one another in Vernon Municipal Court.  Metler, director of the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance, and three other activists will be prosecuted by the State on charges of hunter harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing administration of law.  They allegedly confronted hunters, one of whom was an undercover park officer, in the field for New Jersey's 2005 bear hunt.



Each of the offenses carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.



The trial for Metler of Vernon, Albert Kazemian of Vernon, Terry Fritzges of East Windsor, and Janet Piszar of Millburn is scheduled for July 27.



They will be the second set of bear hunt protestors to see the inside of a courtroom.  In April, six others were found guilty in Vernon Municipal Court of crossing a protest boundary at Wawayanda Park on the last day of the hunt.



The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance provided legal advice to Devine and helped him cover attorney fees.

[vermonster13]

It's excellent to see a hunter protection law being enforced and even nicer to see NJ getting this right after the huge fight to get the bear hunts opened up there.

[Frank AK]

thats soooo true.

[vermonster13]

The 3 anti-hunters received 40 days in jail and $300 fines.

A win for us!

[Brian Krebs]

yep- sets a precedent.
I once had an antihunter follow me when I was pheasant hunting - she was on the opposite side of a fence cussing at me; and following me; and much to her surpise - she scared a rooster pheasant up from in front of her: right to my game bag.
I encouraged her to continue; but she quit !
Imagine that...