The December black bear hunting season will be extended by four days this week per state regulations to achieve harvest objectives that help protect public safety and maintain a sustainable bear population.

The season extension will begin a half-hour prior to sunrise on Wednesday, Dec. 14 and will end a half-hour after sunset on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Zone Permits are still available and can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. today.

Hunters are reminded of the following important changes now in place as part of emergency rulemaking adopted last month reinstating the hunting season:

• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill a black bear weighing less than 75 pounds (live weight), or less than 50 pounds dressed.
• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill an adult black bear that is in the presence of cub(s) (bears weighing less than 75 pounds).
• Hunters may NOT attempt to take or kill a black bear or have a loaded weapon within 300 ft. of a baited area when hunting bears.

Hunters must check all bears harvested at a mandatory bear check station. Hunters shall surrender the black bear transportation tag and will be issued a legal possession seal. Bear check is NOT available through the automated system.

When field dressing a black bear, leave the sex organs intact, attached to the body. A harvested black bear may be quartered and brought out of the field in sections.

• 2022 Bear Hunting Season Information
• Black Bear Management FAQs (pdf)
• Hunter Guidance for the 2022 Bear Season Regulation Change (pdf)
• NJDEP Black Bear Hunting Season Extension News Release 12/12/2022