Despite protests and last-minute lawsuits, New Jersey's first bear hunt in five years is all set to start today. The six-day hunt begins 30 minutes before sunrise, around 7 a.m., and will held in seven counties, mostly in the northwest. State officials estimate there are 3,400 bears in New Jersey, double the population of 2001. They anticipate the hunt...
Despite protests and last-minute lawsuits, New Jersey's first bear hunt in five years is all set to start today.
The six-day hunt begins 30 minutes before sunrise, around 7 a.m., and will held in seven counties, mostly in the northwest. State officials estimate there are 3,400 bears in New Jersey, double the population of 2001. They anticipate the hunt will remove 300 to 400 animals.
Around 7,000 permits have been awarded for the hunt, up from 5,000 in 2005. But the hunt has provoked opposition from animal rights activists, who plan to show up at bear weigh stations during the hunt to protest.
Two groups — the Animal Protection League of New Jersey and the New Jersey Bear Education and Resource Group — lost an appeal in appellate court Friday and the state Supreme Court Saturday to halt the hunts.
Supporters of the hunt argue the state's bear population has become a nuisance and needs to be culled.
Previous coverage:
• On eve of N.J. bear hunt, both sides of debate plead their cases
• N.J. appellate panel rejects animal rights groups' lawsuit to stop bear hunt
• Bear hunt opponents to protest outside Statehouse
• N.J. officials make case for bear hunt after animal rights group files lawsuit
• Bear hunt begins in Hunterdon County; about 3,400 bears roam state
• Animal rights group alleges pro-hunting PAC stumped for Christie in return for bear hunt, campaign finance laws violated
• Animal rights activist files lawsuit to stop scheduled bear hunt in N.J.