Regulated Bear Hunt to Occur on State Lands

And yet another update...

The NJ Black Bear Hunt is open effective Tuesday, December 6, 2022. The NJ Appellate Court has found the Emergency Rule valid.

Hunters must check all bears harvested at a mandatory bear check station. Check Stations will be open 12/6 through 12/10.  Hunters shall surrender the black bear transportation tag and will be issued a legal possession seal. Bear check is NOT available through the automated system.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the Superior Court of New Jersey granted a stay to the black bear hunt. As a result of the Superior Court of New Jersey’s order, the black bear hunt scheduled to begin on December 5, 2022, is suspended until further notice. As the appeal of the emergency adoption authorizing the hunt is to be heard on an expedited schedule, hunters should regularly check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Black Bear Hunting Season Information webpage for updates. 

https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/bear-hunting-season-information

The NJ Fish and Game Council voted to approve emergency regulations amending the Game Code and adopting a new Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan (CBBMP) to control the black bear population and reduce the threat of dangerous encounters between bears and humans through regulated hunting and non-lethal management measures.

Following the Council’s vote, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved the new CBBMP and agreed with the Council’s finding that a hunt is necessary this December to protect the safety of New Jersey residents. Governor Murphy then concurred with the Council’s finding and signed Executive Order No. 310, which rescinds a prior executive order (No. 34) from 2018 instructing the Commissioner to take action to protect black bears on State-owned land.

In accordance with Executive Order No. 310, the Commissioner then rescinded the Department’s own prior Administrative Order (No. 2018-24), which prohibited the hunting of black bears on all State-owned land.

“The facts on the ground have shown that we cannot rely on nonlethal methods alone to protect New Jersey residents from a growing black bear population,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s actions will facilitate the reinstatement of a regulated black bear hunt this year to help limit dangerous interactions between people and bears to protect public safety.”

This action is being taken in response to an increase in the black bear population and a rise in black bear incidents of 237% from January through October this year as compared to the same time period in 2021. These incidents include 62 aggressive encounters with humans, 89 instances of property damage, and attacks on both livestock and pets.

More information at dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/bear-hunting-season-information/