Phil Murphy

New Jersey's Bear Hunt Nearing End; 185 Killed So Far

The bear hunt for firearms only starts Dec. 9

What to Know

  • The first three days of New Jersey's bear hunt began Monday for hunters armed with bows and arrows.
  • In the first day of the hunt, 94 bears were killed.
  • There were 42 bruins killed during opening day in 2018.

New Jersey's black bear hunt is entering its final two days.

Hunters have killed 185 bruins since the hunt began at sunrise on Monday. Most of the bears harvested were in Sussex, Warren and Morris counties.

The first three days were restricted to hunters using bows and arrows. However, archers and muzzle-loading rifle hunters were allowed beginning Thursday and they can participate until the hunt ends a half hour before sunset on Saturday.

The bear hunt for firearms only starts Dec. 9.

The hunt is restricted to five zones. Gov. Phil Murphy has prohibited hunting on state lands.

Hunters killed 225 bears in 2018, the lowest amount since 2003.

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