http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearseas04.htm

Bear Permit Applications

The bear hunting permit application received through the mail are being processed and qualified applicants that completed the mandatory training session in 2003 will receive their bear hunting permits in the mail the week of November 29.

Applicants that did not complete the mandatory training session in 2003 must attend training sessions beginning November 21 in order to obtain a bear hunting permit.

Hunters that have not yet filed an application may do so according to the following instructions.

Hunters that did not complete the mandatory training in 2003 can submit an application at the mandatory training sessions. Applications are available on the Division of Fish and Wildlife website and will be available at the training sessions.

Hunters that completed the mandatory training and received a 2003 bear hunting permit may apply and obtain a permit from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on November 21. Hunters must provide a hunting license valid for the 2004 hunting season to obtain a permit at these locations.

Hunters that completed the mandatory training and received a 2003 bear hunting permit may also apply and obtain a permit during the hours of 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Northern, Central and Southern Region Offices, Trenton headquarters or the Pequest Trout Hatchery on November 29 and 30 and December 1, 2, 3. Hunters must provide a hunting license valid for the 2004 hunting season to obtain a permit at these locations.

Mandatory Training Sessions

November 21 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Sessions at 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m. These training sessions are open to those hunters that have already applied for a permit through the mail and those hunters that wish to apply and did not complete the mandatory training in 2003.

November 29 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County. Open to those hunters that have already applied for a permit through the mail and those hunters that wish to apply and did not complete the mandatory training in 2003. NOTE: Hunters must register for the November 29 sessions by calling (856) 629-0552. If the sessions on November 29 are filled, additional sessions will be held, as needed, on November 30 through December 3 at the Pequest location.

December 4at the Rutgers Cook College Campus Center at 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m. If the number of permits issued prior to December 4 is close to the 10,000 permit limit, these sessions may be limited to those that applied for a permit through the mail by October 30. If a sufficient number of permits are still available these sessions will be open to walk-in applicants on a first come first served basis.

*** NOTE: The steps outlined above are subject to change depending on the Supreme Court review of the Appellate Court decision. Also, an Appellate Court case is being heard on November 18, 2004 on the closure of state lands assigned to DEP to bear hunting.