Black Bear Hunt Extended 4 More Days

After a six-day long, state-approved black bear hunt that ended on Saturday, the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife announced a four-day extension.

The second phase of the hunt is scheduled to begin a half-hour prior to sunrise on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The decision was based on an analysis of data on the past week’s harvest, according to the NJDEP.

This week’s hunt, which environmental and animal rights groups have called it a trophy hunt, began on Monday, Dec. 7 and ended on Saturday, Dec. 12.

A total of 472 bears were killed in the hunt this year, 200 more than last year’s six-day total of 272. The vast majority, 293 have been killed in Sussex County. Warren County is next with 87. Morris and Passaic counties are next with 52 and 29 bears each, respectively.

No black bears have been killed in Bergen, Somerset, or Mercer counties, however, the hunting area only includes a small section of Somerset County.

The December hunt was purposely planned for this time of year to be conservative. Only 251 bears were killed in 2013, a huge drop off from the 592 killed in 2010.

More information, including about sale of remaining available permits, will be available soon and list subscribers will be notified.