The New Jersey Fish & Game Council met Sept. 6, 2023 and voted to approve the formal rule adoption document for amendments to the State Game Code and the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP). Upon signing by Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, the rule adoption document was filed with the Office of Administrative Law on Sept. 8 for publication in the Oct. 2 New Jersey Register.

What amendments to the Game Code have been approved by the Fish and Game Council?

The Fish and Game Council approved a more restricted regulated hunt including the strict prohibitions on the taking of cubs under 75 pounds, the taking of adults traveling with cubs below 75 pounds, and restrictions on the practice of baiting.

What are current population estimates for black bears in New Jersey?

The DEP estimates that the population in northwestern counties of Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren, where the state’s population is centered, has increased, with estimates of approximately 3,000 black bears, up from approximately 1,500 in 2018. The black bear population is projected to grow to more than 4,000 bears in the next two years. In the absence of population control measures, the rate of population growth will compound in future years as a greater number of female bears reproduce, with population reduction standing as the only scientifically sound method of restraining unchecked growth and dispersal.

How does a rising black bear population endanger public safety?

Despite the additional non-lethal management efforts that NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has taken, including concerted public outreach and education, reported black bear incidents, including dangerous human-bear interactions, from January through October of 2022 have increased by 237% compared to the same period in 2021. The most concerning of these incidents include: 62 aggressive encounters with humans, 1 human attack, 12 dog attacks, 12 home entries, 15 attempted home entries, 89 instances of property damage, and 52 attacks on protected livestock.

Dense populations of bears can also lead to inadequate natural sources of food for the animals and territory for young males. This causes wider dispersion of bears into areas where they are even more likely to come into conflict with people and increases the risk of bears seeking sources of food such as trash, pet food left outside, seed from bird feeders, agricultural crops, and poultry and livestock.

Incident reports for the years 2010 through 2024 are available at NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Activity Reports.

Why was the black bear hunt previously closed?

The hunt was suspended on state lands in 2018 to provide an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of exclusively using non-lethal measures to maintain the population in a manner that is protective of the public’s safety. Bear hunting on any lands in New Jersey ended in 2021 with the expiration of the previous CBBMP.

DECEMBER 2024 HUNT SEASON INFORMATION

What are the season dates for hunting black bear in 2024?

Segment A, of the black bear season will be Monday, October 14 through Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Segment B, of the black bear season will be Monday, December 9 through Saturday, December 14, 2024.

If the harvest rate does not reach 20% during this period, the hunt will be extended to Wednesday, December 18 through Saturday, December 21, 2024. A season extension will be announced on the Fish and Wildlife website, by press release, and via the NJ Hunting e-mail list.

Can the season be closed before Saturday, December 14?

Yes, if the harvest rate reaches 30% of bears tagged in 2024 the season will be closed. In the event of a season closure, notification will be announced on the Fish and Wildlife website and via the NJ Hunting E-mail list. A season closure will become effective 24 hours from the daily legal closing time of the day on which the decision is made.

Where can I hunt black bears in NJ?

Bear hunting is currently only permitted in Bear Management Zones 1 – 5. Hunters may find a map of Bear Management Zones on the Fish and Wildlife website (Hunting/Bear Regulations) or by using the Hunting Explorer app. State lands have been reopened to bear hunting.  You may hunt bears on any State, private, municipal, county, or federal land within Bear Management Zones 1 – 5 for which you have permission. If in doubt about a property’s availability, please call the managing agency for that specific property for clarification.

What are the updated regulations for the 2024 bear hunting season?

There are three key changes to bear hunting regulations:

• Hunters may NOT harvest a black bear less than 75 pounds (live weight), or less than 50 pounds dressed. 
• Hunters may NOT harvest an adult bear that is accompanied by bears less than 75 pounds.
• Hunters may NOT hunt a bear or have a loaded weapon within 300 ft. of a baited area.

What do I need to hunt Black Bears in New Jersey?

To hunt black bears you need a valid NJ Archery, Firearm, or All-Around Hunting license and a Black Bear Permit ($2).  There is a set number of permits available for each Bear Management Zone. Hunters may purchase up to two permits, each for a different zone, but may ONLY HARVEST ONE BEAR per segment regardless of the number of permits purchased.

Bear Management Zone boundary information is available on Fish and Wildlife’s website (Hunting/Bear Regulations) or using the Hunting Explorer app.

Where can I purchase a black bear permit?

You may purchase permits online or in-person at license agents. Please see the Fish and Wildlife Hunting and Trapping Permits webpage for more details. More information concerning licenses and permits, as well as a link to online purchasing is available from the Fish and Wildlife website.

Can I buy more than one bear permit?

Yes, a licensed hunter can purchase a permit for two separate zones. Permits are valid for the entire black bear hunting season, including Segment A in October and Segment B in December. If no bear is taken during Segment A, the permit is still valid for hunting in Segment B. If a hunter harvests a bear during Segment A that permit is no longer valid, though the hunter may purchase a permit for that same zone to use during segment B. However only ONE bear, at least 75 pounds, may be harvested per segment, regardless of the number of permits purchased.

What weapons are legal to hunt black bear?

During the October Season you may use a long or recurve bow with a 35 pound pull at draw length, a compound bow with a 35 pound peak weight, or a crossbow with a 75 pound minimum draw weight. Only bows capable of firing a single projectile may be used. Arrows must be well-sharpened metal broadhead with a minimum width of 3/4″. During the last three days of the season, October 17-19, 2024, muzzleloader rifles of .44 or larger caliber may also be used. If hunting with a muzzleloader, a rifle permit must be in possession.

During the December season you may use only shotguns no smaller than 20 gauge or larger than 10 gauge with rifled slugs or muzzleloader rifles of .44 or larger caliber. If hunting with a muzzleloader, a rifle permit must be in possession.

What size black bear is legal to hunt?

You may NOT take a bear that is less than 75 pounds live weight or 50 pounds dressed weight, and you may NOT take an adult bear which is in the presence of cubs weighing less than 75 pounds.

What are the reporting or check station requirements for the 2024 season?

After IMMEDIATELY tagging the bear in the field, hunters are required to check all harvested bears at a check station staffed by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife personnel. Additional information on check station availability and location will be provided in advance of the hunt. Data, including sex, weight and size is collected, and a tooth will be extracted for aging.

How many bears can I harvest?

One per segment. Hunters may only harvest ONE bear even if they purchased more than one permit. Each permit is for a specific Bear Management Zone. Hunters are limited to buying two permits only.

Additional information regarding the Black Bear Hunting Season will be provided on the Fish and Wildlife Website and via the NJ Hunting e-mail list.