Hundreds Of Bears Killed In 1st Phase Of NJ Hunt

More than 350 bears were harvested this month during the first phase of New Jersey’s bear-hunting season.

According to NJ Fish and Wildlife, a total of 368 bears were killed in the span of six days. That’s almost 30 bears less than the first phase of 2024, which totaled 397 harvests.

See the list of bear harvests so far by county:

• Sussex: 185
• Warren: 82
• Morris: 61
• Passaic: 28
• Hunterdon: 9
• Bergen: 2
• Somerset: 1
• Mercer: 0
• Total: 368

New Jersey’s bear-hunting season is broken up into two segments: Oct. 13 to Oct. 18, and Dec. 8 to Dec. 13.

The first few days of the October segment are archery hunting only, with the last three days allowing muzzleloader rifles. Hunters in December can only use muzzleloader rifles or shotguns during the second segment.

Hunters are limited to killing one bear over 75 pounds live weight, or 50 pounds dressed, per segment.

Once a bear is killed, hunters must report it to one of the following five bear check-in locations: Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County, Whittingham and Flatbrook WMAs in Sussex County, and Green Pond Golf Course and Black River WMA in Morris County.

The bear hunt could be stopped early if 30 percent of the state’s bear population is killed, as per New Jersey law. Conversely, the season could be extended if less than 20 percent of the population is eliminated.

According to NJ Fish and Wildlife, the state’s black bear population is around 3,000 and rising, up from around 1,500 bears in 2018. Projections indicate the population could reach 4,000 in two years, according to state officials.

Controversy

For years, the state’s bear hunt has sparked debate on ethical and environmental concerns.

The black bear hunt was suspended in 2018 by Governor Phil Murphy, who campaigned to end the hunt for good. The move was an attempt to “evaluate the feasibility of exclusively using non-lethal measures” to limit bears' interaction with the public.

However, after a drastic increase in black bear incidents, including aggressive interactions with humans and property damage, the hunt was reinstated in November 2022.

“The facts on the ground have shown that we cannot rely on nonlethal methods alone to protect New Jersey residents from a growing black bear population,” said Murphy in a 2022 statement. “Today’s actions will facilitate the reinstatement of a regulated black bear hunt this year to help limit dangerous interactions between people and bears to protect public safety.”

Animal advocates from across the state still want the hunt banned, including the Animal Protection League of New Jersey. The institute has been speaking out against the killing of the bears, adding that public education, garbage containment, and attractant control are ethical alternatives to the hunt.

Additionally, a 2019 poll conducted by Remington Research Group for the Humane World for Animals showed an overwhelming opposition from the public to the state’s bear hunt.

State officials, however, say the hunt is necessary, not only for public safety, but for environmental harmony.

“Dense populations of bears can also lead to inadequate natural sources of food for the animals and territory for young males,” an NJ Fish and Wildlife statement read. “This causes wider dispersion of bears into areas where they are even more likely to come into conflict with people and increases the risk of bears seeking sources of food such as trash, pet food left outside, seed from bird feeders, agricultural crops, and poultry and livestock.”

To learn more about New Jersey’s bear hunt, click here.