Black Bear Hunting is Back in Jersey

In December of 2022, New Jersey created an emergency rule to allow for a limited hunt of black bears within the state for population control after 4 years of no hunting.

In this hunt, 114 bears were killed in only 5 days.

7 months later, the previous ruling is coming back full force, allowing the hunt of black bears to continue until the year 2028.

Why Hunt?

Beginning in 1954, the hunting of black bears was originally done for sport with regulated hunts. This ended in 1971 when it was reported there was only 25 bears left in the state.

Hunting was banned for over 30 years after this until 2003, when bears were once again recognized as a game species.

This was ended after one year, and any cause for hunting bears since has been due to population control.

From January 1, 2022, to October 21, 2022, there was a 237% increase in bear damage and nuisance, causing for the hunt to return on the reported 3000+ bears in the state.

The Opposition:

The Animal Protection League (APLNJ) is the main voice behind the opposition, with the group claiming that the state Fish and Game Council are blatantly lying to the public.

The APLNJ stated that the actual number of bears is only 1,614, and because of these low numbers, the Fish and Game Council are lying in order to secure rights to hunt.

The belief is that the state council wants to hunt purely for sport, and that the overpopulation emergency is fabricated in order to hunt within the means of the law.

Under state law, 6 out of the 11 members of the Fish and Game council are elected by private gun clubs, leading to a majority in favor of hunting, in a manner in which the APLNJ believes to be corrupt.

What Next?

The next bear hunt is expected to take place in October, until then, voices such as the APLNJ will continue to spread the claim of corruption and fabrication throughout the media in attempt to have the hunt called off.

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