Bear Hunt Back On In NJ: First Kill Could Be Next Month

NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Fish and Game Council voted Wednesday to approve amendments to the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) that allow for regulated hunts twice a year in certain parts of the state.

The policy provides for an annual black bear hunting season, divided into two one-week periods, in designated parts of seven New Jersey counties.

These rules will expire in May 2028. Now that the policy has been approved, bear hunts could take place twice a year from 2023-2027 – if “appropriate conditions” for hunting are met.

Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Hajna told Patch that the rules will be adopted on Oct. 2, when it is published in the New Jersey Register. Shawn LaTourette, the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, has to sign the document first.

"Segment A of the bear hunting season will take place from Oct. 9 through Oct. 14 and Segment B will be held Dec. 4 through Dec. 9, with an extension Dec. 13 through Dec. 16, if certain harvest objectives necessary for population and conservation management are not met," Hajna said.

Designated hunting zones will be established in Bergen, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Sussex counties.

Before the vote on Wednesday, council members heard a number of people comment against the hunts; two hunters chimed in at the end of the public comment period to support the re-authorization of the hunting periods.

The amendments to CBBMP will also prohibit the harvest of bears less than 75 pounds live weight, as well as adult bears accompanying these young bears; and prohibit the hunting of bears within 300 feet of a baited area.

"The CBBMP outlines non-lethal and lethal management actions to ensure the sustainability of the species, provide for public safety, and reduce incidences of bear-human conflicts," Hajna added.

The state received 1,620 comments in support of the proposed CBBMP changes, and 2,067 comments plus 4,857 mailed post cards in opposition to the proposed changes, according to a presentation in July. The public comment period lasted from Dec. 5, 2022 through Feb. 3, 2023.