WMBCTV: Second Segment of NJ Bear Hunt Underway, Harvest Rate May Trigger Extension

Hunters are once again heading into the woods across North Jersey as the second and final phase of this year’s black bear hunt begins this week, after 367 bears were harvested during the first segment of the season. That number puts the estimated harvest rate at just under 16 percent of the total bear population. Under state guidelines, if the combined harvest from both segments fails to reach 20 percent, the hunt can be extended for up to four additional days. One of the biggest questions heading into this second segment is whether the hunt will be extended beyond December 13th. 

“With it being this and a little bit snowy, it’s tough to predict but when it’s this cold, they usually hunker down so I’m not expecting a lot of bears to come in this week,” said Jim Oxley, Chief, Wildlife Management, NJ DEP. “It’s tough to predict for sure."

State wildlife officials estimate there are roughly 3,000 black bears living across North Jersey, a population they say continues to grow. Supporters of the hunt argue it plays an essential role in public safety and wildlife management, especially in communities where bear sightings are becoming more common. Opponents, meanwhile, continue to push back - calling the practice inhumane and advocating for non-lethal alternatives.

“We operate like an integrated bear management program here in New Jersey so the regulated hunt is just one aspect of that,” said Jim Oxley, Chief, Wildlife Management, NJ DEP. “So we’re doing education, we’re doing both lethal and non-lethal control measures of nuisance bears, we’re doing research as well. So all of that kind of gets integrated so it’s not just the hunt, although that is one very important part.”

While the current segment allows hunters to only use shotguns and muzzleloaders, organizers say the multi-phase structure of the hunt is designed to give different types of hunters access throughout the season - including archers, muzzleloader hunters and shotgun users. 

“It’s equity for the hunters,” said Jim Oxley, Chief, Wildlife Management, NJ DEP. “So as far as being lethal in capturing the animals, they’re all just as lethal but it just kind of gives you equal distribution because some bow hunters don’t use muzzleloader or shotgun and vice versa so it’s just trying to get everybody the same amount of time to be out in the field and hunt.”

Since the annual hunt resumed in 2003, thousands of black bears have been harvested statewide, making it one of New Jersey’s most closely watched - and debated - wildlife programs.