Governor Murphy Closes State Lands To 2018 Bear Hunt

New Jersey's black bear hunt may be on its last leg.

Governor Phil Murphy Monday signed an executive order directing the state Department of Environmental Protection to close all public lands it oversees to bear hunting for the 2018 season. This includes all state forests, parks, recreation areas, historic sites, and State Wildlife Management Areas.

While campaigning for governor, Murphy said he would work to stop the bear hunt.

"My first concern has always been public safety and before we authorize another hunt, we should review all non-lethal options," Murphy said.

Murphy acted Monday "to the greatest extent" of his authority regarding the hunt, he said.

Prior to his directive Monday, Murphy directed the DEP to review available scientific evidence and consult with the state Fish and Game Council to determine if the state to change the regulations authorizing the bear hunt. The council has authorized bear hunts through 2021 through its regulatory authority.

Murphy does not have the ability to unilaterally cancel a bear hunt. In order for a hunt to be stopped, the state Legislature must act or the Fish and Game Council must adopt new regulations that not include provisions for a hunt.

Murphy wants the State Legislature to "take action on his critical issue."

The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, which has long opposed the bear hunt, was pleased with Murphy's actions, but said more needs to be done.

"We still need a full moratorium on the bear hunt this year and in future years. Just as important, we need a real bear management program that deals with education, garbage, protecting habitats and other facets of bear interactions," said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club director. "We hope this is the beginning of the process to reform the Division of Fish and Wildlife and pass legislation to educate the public on bears and bring wildlife management into the 21st century. We will continue to work towards a complete ban on bear hunting in New Jersey."

Bear hunts have been held in New Jersey for the past eight years after Governor Christie reinstituted the hunt.

The hunt's purpose is to reduce the population size of black bears in New Jersey, which is robust and the animals have a reproduction rate. Black bears are native to all of New Jersey's 21 counties, but are most commonly spotted in the northwestern corner of the state where the hunt is held, in Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties.

"Black bears are an important part of our natural ecosystem," said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty previously said. "Closely managed hunting is a key component of the state's comprehensive approach for maintaining a sustainable bear population while reducing the potential for property damage and encounters with people."

The hunt is broken up into two parts. Archery and muzzle-loading rifle hunting is allowed in October. A second, gun-only hunt are held in December if the harvest limit is not reached.

Nearly 250 bears were killed during the six-day October hunt last year. Another 165 were killed during the 10-day December hunt last year.

The 2016 hunt was especially controversial. A bear known for walking on its hind legs and affectionately nicknamed "Pedals" by locals is thought to have been killed on the first day of that year's hunt, sparking an outrage online. Officials were unable to confirm or deny his death. (See related: Pedals, The New Jersey Bear That Walked On Two Feet, Is Feared Dead)

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo via Shutterstock