New Jersey

Exclusive | NJ hunter who set state record by killing 770-pound bear clawed with backlash: ‘They hope the next bear kills me’

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2024

Exclusive | NJ hunter who set state record by killing 770-pound bear clawed with backlash: ‘They hope the next bear kills me’

He is bear-ing the weight of his actions.

A New Jersey bow hunter who killed a 770-pound black bear this week, setting a state record, is getting pounced on for slaughtering the creature.

Brian Melvin, 39, told The Post on Saturday that people have found him on social media and even tracked down his phone number to express their hatred.

“I have received various messages and calls telling me how bad of a person I am and that they hope the next bear kills me,” he said.

“They hope another hunter mistakes me as a bear and shoots me. And people telling me they are going to string me up and gut me like the bear.”

Melvin first saw the bear three years ago while he was hunting. Brian Melvin

Melvin, a licensed hunter who legally killed the animal on Tuesday in Kinnelon in Morris County, has gotten slammed on X, with users calling him a “coward and a loser,” “a waste of human space” and a “worthless piece of s–t.”

“Imagine the mental depravity of obsessing for years over killing a wondrous majestic black bear,” one said, referring to the fact that Melvin stalked the bear for two hunting seasons before the fatal encounter this week.

Many called the behemoth’s death “heartbreaking” and “disgusting.”

“Couldn’t we just let the big, majestic, successful bear live out its life in peace?” one asked.

But some praised Melvin for the act, saying it was beneficial to humans.

black bear killed in nj — Many sympathized with the bear, calling its death “heartbreaking” and “disgusting.” Brian Melvin

“That was a huge bear! Great job man. It’s important to keep a balance in nature,” one said.

“That is a Massive Bear and a once in a lifetime thing to achieve,” wrote another. “The Black Bear population has gotten crazy and that’s going to taste good and look great as a rug or wall piece.”

Melvin had this to say to all the haters.

“I am a staunch advocate for the freedom of speech and everyone has the right to voice their opinion. Although wishing harm on a person because one doesn’t agree with a legal action that was taken seems a bit contradictory of their views,” he said.

“I would urge people to do a little research and educate themselves before passing judgment. We can all learn from each other.”

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Related Topics:bears Exclusive Featured hunting Metro new jersey Social Media US News X (formerly Twitter)

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

7 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

19 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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