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, 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.“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 themse...