Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Black bears are not true hibernators and may be active throughout the year. Prevent bear encounters by securing garbage and other attractants. Learn More >
To report black bear damage and nuisance, call the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline: 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)
Bear Hunting Season Information
Bear Hunt Update
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, 2023, for publication in the Oct. 2, 2023 New Jersey Register. As a result of this action, a bear hunt will occur for Segment A (Oct. 9 – 14) and Segment B (Dec. 4 – 9) of the 2023 bear season. At the same time, the Fish and Game Council (Council) adopted changes to the Game Code relating to New Jersey’s bear season.
State lands have also been reopened to bear hunting. You may hunt bears on any State, private, municipal, county, or federal land open to bear hunting and for which you have permission.
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Black Bear Research
NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife is responsible for protecting and managing New Jersey’s wildlife. In fulfillment of this responsibility, the agency is studying and managing a growing black bear resource while minimizing interactions with people.
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Black Bear Management Overview
Fish and Wildlife’s overall integrated bear management strategy includes public education, black bear research and monitoring, trapping and aversive conditioning, and euthanizing bears that pose a public safety threat. Nonlethal bear management strategies are used to reduce the number of human interactions with bears.
