The second part of New Jersey’s annual black bear hunt continues through Saturday, Dec. 14.
Hunters may use shotguns/muzzleloaders only.
On Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15, a total of 35 bears were killed: 20 in Sussex County, 12 in Warren, two in Morris and one in Passaic, according to figures from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Fish & Wildlife section.
Nearly 400 bears were killed in the first part of the hunt, Oct. 14-19.
In the Segment A, 188 bears were taken in Sussex, 104 in Warren, 68 in Morris, 22 in Passaic, six in Hunterdon, three in Bergen and one in Somerset.
A total of 47, or 23.6 percent, of the bears killed this year had a tag attached to an ear. The tags are used to determine the harvest rate.
State officials are aiming for a harvest rate of 20 percent, which they have said is needed to reduce the black bear population.
Hunting rules
Daily hunting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.
Black bear hunting is permitted only in zones 1-5, which include parts of Passaic, Sussex, Morris, Warren, Hunterdon, Bergen, Mercer and Somerset counties.
The New Jersey Fish & Game Council last year voted to permit bear hunting through 2028 and set rules, which were formally approved by the DEP.
Among the rules:
• Hunters may not attempt to take or kill a black bear weighing less than 75 pounds (live weight), or less than 50 pounds dressed.
• Hunters may not attempt to take or kill an adult black bear that is in the presence of cub(s) (bears weighing less than 75 pounds).
• Hunters may not attempt to take or kill a black bear or have a loaded weapon within 300 feet of a baited area when hunting bears.