NEWTON Four animal-rights activists who were convicted of interfering with New Jersey’s 2005 bear hunt won’t have to spend as much time in jail or on fines. A judge on Tuesday affirmed their convictions, but merged some offenses to lessen fines and penalties. The judge said defendants can’t be punished twice for what’s essentially the same violations. Angela Metler, who is director of the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance, had a 40-day sentence reduced to two days in jail and eight days in the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program. Hunters in Wawayanda State Park in Vernon had complained that the activists were taunting and following them during the 2005 hunt. The activists plan to appeal the ruling. The 2005 bear hunt was the most recent one. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson canceled the 2006 bear hunt after Governor Jon Corizine made his opposition to the hunt clear. There has been no decision on a 2007 bear hunt. The hunts have pitted the hunters against animal rights group.