Hundreds Of NJ Bears Killed In First Week Of Hunt

New Jersey’s Fall 2025 Bear Hunting Season began this week, and hunters have harvested hundreds of bears in the first four days.

The 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.

The entirety of the December segment is muzzleloader rifles or shotgun hunting only.

See the list of bear harvests so far by county, as of Friday morning:

• Sussex: 127
• Warren: 53
• Morris: 42
• Passaic: 20
• Hunterdon: 5
• Bergen: 1
• Somerset: 1
• Mercer: 0
• Total: 249

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.

See hunting season regulations below, provided by the NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife:

• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill a black bear weighing less than 75 pounds (live weight), or less than 50 pounds dressed.
• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill an adult black bear that is in the presence of cub(s) (bears weighing less than 75 pounds).
• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill a black bear or have a loaded weapon within 300 ft. of a baited area when hunting bears.
• Firearm black bear hunters must wear a hat of solid fluorescent hunter orange or an outer garment containing at least 200 square inches of fluorescent orange material visible from all sides at all times while bear hunting, and all bear hunters must follow the fluorescent orange requirements pertaining to hunting from a ground blind.
• It shall be illegal to use dogs to pursue or run black bears.
• No person shall attempt to take or kill a black bear or have in their possession or control any firearm, within 300 feet of a baited area. On National Wildlife Refuges and at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the distribution of bait and/or hunting over bait is prohibited. Hunters should also check with the landowner or administrative agency before placing bait on any hunting area.
• Allowable hunting methods: stand hunting, still hunting, or drive hunting.
• Hunters using or possessing any shotgun slug in the field during the bear seasons must have a shotgun with adjustable open iron or peep sights or a scope affixed to the shotgun.
• Telescopic sights of any magnification (scope power) are permitted for bear hunting on all firearms (including muzzleloading rifles).
• Shotgun shells containing single spherical projectiles referred to as pumpkin balls are prohibited.
• While bear hunting with a shotgun, it is illegal to have in possession any ammunition not authorized for bear hunting.
• Only one muzzleloader rifle may be in possession while bear hunting.
• All firearms must be cased and unloaded while being transported in vehicles.
• It is illegal to take or attempt to take a bear in a den structure.

Click here to learn more about New Jersey’s bear hunting season.