TRENTON — New Jersey will hold another bear hunt this year, much to the chagrin of environmental groups and animal rights activists. Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese said today that the hunt is planned for Dec. 5-10. Because the hunt is a component of the state's black bear management plan that was adopted last year, it doesn't...
TRENTON — New Jersey will hold another bear hunt this year, much to the chagrin of environmental groups and animal rights activists.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese said today that the hunt is planned for Dec. 5-10.
Because the hunt is a component of the state's black bear management plan that was adopted last year, it doesn't need to go through a separate approval process this time.
Nearly 600 bears were killed during last year's six-day hunt. It was New Jersey's first since 2005.
Wildlife officials have said the hunts are needed to reduce a black bear population now thought to number about 3,400.
Hunt opponents contend the management policy was improperly developed and say nonlethal population control measures should be used instead.
Previous coverage:
• Several 'nuisance bears' killed during bear hunt, DEP official says
• N.J. officials say 589 bears were killed during hunt
• Animal activists protest on final day of N.J. bear hunt
• N.J. butchers create gamey delicacies with bear meat from hunt
• Record number killed during first 3 days of N.J. bear hunt