Controversial Black Bear Bow Hunt Underway In North Jersey

MAHWAH, N.J. — The controversial New Jersey bear hunt is under way this week, and, as in previous years, it has gained the ire of some environmentalists and politicians.

The expanded hunt, now in its seventh consecutive year, gives bow-and-arrow and muzzle-loading hunters the chance to reduce the state’s black bear population.

Bow hunters may hunt Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, while muzzle-loaders will get their crack Thursday through Saturday.

The state estimates there are 3,000 black bears in New Jersey.

Five hunting zones of 1,000 square miles in the northwestern part of the state have been in effect since the hunt began. This includes a small, 400-acre portion of Bergen County in Mahwah, Oakland, and Franklin Lakes and part of Wayne in Passaic County as well. A fifth zone mostly in Hunterdon and Morris counties was added this year. All of Morris County is included in the hunt.

"The introduction of a fall hunt, when black bears are more active, in addition to the zone expansions, will help us achieve our goal of a healthy and sustainable bear population and will increase opportunities for hunters to take bears in areas where bear and human encounters have been reported due to bears expanding their territories," said David Chanda, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Although hunting is allowed in the Ramapo State Forest, part of which is in Mahwah, hunting is not allowed in the Ramapo Reservation.

Hunting is permitting beginning a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.

Bow hunters are not allowed to release an arrow within 150 feet of a building or 450 feet of a playground or schools. Muzzleloading hunters must not fire within 450 feet at all times.

As in previous years, not everyone agrees with the hunt.

Mahwah adopted a resolution last month opposing both the October and December hunts. The New Jersey Sierra Club has opposed the hunts for years.

“We are concerned that the expanded bear hunt will put more people at risk from the muzzleloader and archery. While these practices will not adequately impact our issues with bears, they will actually interfere with public safety,” said Jeff Tittel, Sierra Club director. “Muzzleloader and archery practices are safety issues for hikers, homeowners, and others in Bear Country.”

Tittel also said the use of bows, arrows, and muzzleloaders used is “inhumane” and threatens public safety.

“Hunting by arrows could maim the bears partially wounding them, which would also threaten public safety,” Tittel said. “This type of hunting is not only inhumane, but dangerous.”

It is the first bow hunt for bears since 1970, NorthJersey.com reported.

The October hunt was added as a management tool in 2010 with the state expanding the area where hunters may go to match where black bears have expanded their territory. Another hunt will be held in December.

Hunters may take one bear during each of the two seasons.

More than 7,700 hunting permits were issued state Division of Fish and Wildlife; 11,000 were made available.

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