Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin has approved the Fish and Game Council's black bear management policy, setting the stage for New Jersey's first bear hunt since 2005.
"The council incorporated the latest research and science into its proposed black bear management policy that shows the population is sustainable and growing," Martin said today.
"This growth coincides with an increase in serious bear incidents supporting the need for population control in addition to continued non-lethal management tools including
public education and outreach," Martin said.
The Fish and Game Council unanimously approved last week a management policy that includes a six-day hunt starting Dec. 6. Hunting would be limited to land north of Route 78 and west of 287, including the heart of bear country in Morris and Sussex counties.
A public hearing will be held May 11 in Trenton on the plan, with the proposed hunt likely to generate the most discussion. Final approval from the state is expected to follow.
New Jersey Sierra Club Executive Director Jeff Tittel, a bear hunt opponent, expressed disappointment.
"Unless we deal with garbage and do a better job with
education, we're always going to have a problem with bears," Tittel said today.
While bears have been glimpsed in all 21 counties, the heaviest concentration is in northwestern New Jersey. The 2009 bear population was estimated at 3,438 on land north of Route 80 and west of 287, according to the bear management policy report. In 2001, there were an estimated 1,777 bears in the same region.
Bear hunts originally were held annually in New Jersey until 1971, when hunting was prohibited due to the dwindling bruin population. Over the next three decades, a surge in bears combined with residential growth in once-rural areas led to reconsideration.
The first bear hunt in more than a generation, in 2003, resulted in 328 bears being killed over six days. Another 298 bears were killed during the second hunt in 2005.
Former Gov. Jon S. Corzine's administration overrode the council's prior support for a bear hunt.
The only I see it not happening is if the anti-hunting groups sue and win
New Jersey's 2010 Bear Hunt Is On !!!!
congrats to nj hunters, but Im still glad im hunting bears on this side of the border, *no offense* the 03 and 05 bear hunts were nothing to write home about, a short week long season in december(yeah thats effective) shotgun and muzzlloaders only, and no bow season, not to mention the gangs of harassing antis at every parking area. no thanks, but good luck to the NJers who participate.
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