Bear season opens in New Jersey

By Joshua Rosenau

It’s bear hunting season in New Jersey.

The six-day black bear hunting season opens today, Monday, Dec. 3 and lasts through Saturday, Dec. 8, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

There are four bear hunting areas open in New Jersey. The areas cover large portions of Sussex and Passaic counties, according to the department.

Each hunter is limited to one black bear for the season, even if possessing permits for two separate areas. There is a limit of two permits per hunter, according to the DEP's Web site.

For more information on rules and regulations, see the New Jersey Hunting & Trapping Digest at www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2012/dighnt12.pdf.

During last year’s season, hunters killed some 469 bears, according to the department.

Hunters will weigh in their kills at stations set up at Green Pond Golf Course 765 Green Pond Rd. in Rockaway, at Flatbrook Roy Wildlife Management Area Route 615 (Walpack Rd.) in Sandyston, Whittingham Wildlife Management Area, 148 Fredon-Springdale Rd., Newton. Protesters gathered at weigh stations last year to oppose the hunt.

2011 Harvest Totals by County:

Sussex 309

Warren 100

Passaic 25

Morris 33

Bergen 1

Hunterdon 1

Total 469