TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Hunters killed a total of 328 bears in the first segment of New Jersey’s black bear hunt, more than were bagged during last year’s entire hunt and in what could be the final year for the hunt.
The state’s Division of Fish & Wildlife says 42 bruins were culled on Saturday, the sixth and concluding day of the hunt. Hunters had been restricted to using archery for the first three days, but starting Thursday they were also allowed to use muzzleloading rifles.
The hunt is restricted to Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Morris, Bergen, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer counties. Sussex County accounted for 147 of the 328 bears killed. Hunting is prohibited in state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.