264 bears killed so far in hunt

Hunters have killed 264 bears so far during New Jersey’s latest black bear hunt, which concludes Saturday.

New Jersey’s Division of Fish & Wildlife said 63 bruins were culled Thursday, the fourth day of the six-day hunt. Hunters were restricted to using archery for the first three days, but starting Thursday were also allowed to use muzzle-loading rifles.

The hunt is restricted to Warren, Sussex, Passaic, Morris, Bergen, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer counties. Hunting is prohibited in state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.

The second segment of the hunt, for firearms only, is scheduled to begin Dec. 7.

Gov. Phil Murphy has said this year could be the last for the bear hunt, which the Democrat pledged to end when he ran for governor in 2017. Murphy cited a new bear management plan that the state Fish and Game Council was studying.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no bear check stations are available. Hunters must tag their kills and call a number for instructions.

Hunters bagged 315 bears during the 2019 hunt. Most were killed in Sussex County.