SUSSEX COUNTY — It’s bear hunting season in New Jersey.
The six-day black bear hunting season started Monday and lasts through Saturday, Dec. 8, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
Opening day this year yielded only 122 bears as opposed to 257 in 2011, according to the NJDEP.
A 165-pound male was the first black bear to be killed as New Jersey's six-day hunt got under way at sunrise Monday. Environmental Department officials report that a Boonton man killed the bear in Jefferson Township, Morris County, shortly after morning fog lifted. The second bear to be taken was a 124-pound male in Sparta. The hunt aims to control the state's black bear population, now estimated at about 2,900. State environmental officials say New Jersey's two-year-old black bear management program, which includes a hunt, trash management and education, has reduced the bear population and the number of bear-human interactions. The hunt runs until sunset Saturday, concurrent with the firearm deer hunting season. Hunting is allowed north of Interstate 78 and west of Interstate 287.
In 2011, a total of 469 bears were killed during black bear season. In 2010, 592 bears were killed.
There are four bear-hunting areas open in New Jersey. The areas cover large portions of Sussex and Passaic counties.
Each hunter is limited to one black bear for the season, even if possessing permits for two separate areas. There is a limit of two permits per hunter, according to the NJDEP.
Hunters weigh in their kills at stations set up at Green Pond Golf Course, 765 Green Pond Rd. in Rockaway, Flatbrook Roy Wildlife Management Area, Rt. 615 (Walpack Rd.) in Sandyston and Whittingham Wildlife Management Area, 148 Fredon-Springdale Rd. in Newton.
As was the case last year, protesters gathered at weigh stations to speak out against the hunt.