Hunters have killed 135 bears so far during New Jersey’s latest black bear hunting.
What We Know:
- New Jersey state’s Division of Fish & Wildlife says 73 bruins were called on Tuesday, a day after 62 bears were killed on the hunt’s opening day, which was on Monday, October 12. The six-day hunt is limited to Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Morris, Bergen, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Mercer counties. Most bears have been killed in Sussex County.
- The first three days are limited to hunters using archery, but beginning Thursday, they also will be authorized to use muzzleloading rifles. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy had mentioned this year could be the last for the bear hunt, which Murphy vowed to end when he ran for governor in 2017. Murphy quoted a new bear management plan that the state Fish and Game Council were investigating.
- Due to the coronavirus outbreak, no bear check locations are available. Hunters must mark their kills and call a number for directions.
- Hunters annihilated 315 black bears in the state during the entire 2019 season. New Jersey’s most significant bear hunt totals were reported in the 2016 season when 636 animals were killed.
- Hunting is forbidden in state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas. According to NJ.GOV, all hunters are reminded to obey the 450-foot “Safety Zone” distance around buildings and playgrounds when firearm hunting and the 150-foot distance when archery hunting (except 450-feet around playgrounds).
- New Jersey’s bear hunt was restarted in 2003 after being inoperative for decades, following a decline in bear numbers in the 1970s. Advocates for the hunt say it is the most efficient system of regulating the bear population and restricting human safety and property threats.
- Bear Group is part of the Coalition to Protect New Jersey Black Bears and are asking Governor Murphy to suspend the 2020 hunt now.
The second part of the hunt, for firearms only, is slated to begin on December 7.
