4 Bear Cubs Killed, NJ Man Charged

RINGWOOD, NJ — A Ringwood man has been charged after officials say he killed four bear cubs often seen roaming around the North Jersey borough, according to NJ Department of Environmental Protection(NJDEP).

On Sunday at around 4 p.m., a hiker reported the three dead bears in Ringwood State Park, in Ringwood Township, Passaic County to New Jersey State Police(NJSP), according to NJDEP

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) along with NJSP and Ringwood Township Police went to the reported area off Valley Road along the border of the state park where they found a fourth dead bear cub, according to NJDEP.

All of the bear cubs had been shot.

On Monday, authorities returned to the scene and on Tuesday Matthew Ligus, 22, of Ringwood was issued the following summonses to Matthew Ligus, 22, of Ringwood by New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers:

• 23:3-1 Hunting with firearm without a firearm license-- penalty $50-$200
• 23:4-1 Hunting/taking of bear during a closed season, 4 counts -- penalty $100-$300 per count
• 23:9A-2 Careless discharge (of firearm), 5 counts---- penalty $100-$500per count
• 23:4-16d Hunt/Discharge firearm within 450 feet of occupied dwelling, 6 counts – penalty $100-$300 per count
• 23:4-12 Possessing/using Illegal ammunition , 2 counts-- penalty $20 per count
• 23:4-12 Hunting/taking bear with and illegal weapon (rifle) -- penalty $20

The charges will be adjudicated in Ringwood Municipal Court.

Residents had previously reported that four bear cubs, often overseen by an adult bear, were depicted in a photo posted to social media with the cubs appearing to be dead, according to News12 New Jersey.

• Related: It's Black Bear Season In New Jersey: What You Need To Know

The report comes as New Jersey officials this week approved the reinstatement of black bear hunts, which have remained illegal since 2021. Though Gov. Phil Murphy previously vowed that New Jersey's 2020 bear hunt would be the last under his administration, rising bear populations and increased human encounters with the creature led to reconsideration.

Though the reinstatement would help curb the uptick in bear sightings, cubs under 75 pounds remain off-limits. Adult bears in the presence of cubs are also not permitted to be hunted.

The state has seen a 237 percent increase in bear damage and nuisance reports this year between Jan. 1 and Oct. 21 compared to the same period in 2021, according to the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"As a result of this action, a bear hunt will occur for Segment B (December 5 – 10) of the 2022 bear season," the agency said in a statement. "State lands will also be reopened to bear hunting. You may hunt bears on any State, private, municipal, county, or federal land open to bear hunting and for which you have permission."

— With Reporting by Nicole Rosenthal