December 6, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division has ruled the New Jersey Black Bear Season valid and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife immediately opened the hunt today.
Hunters must check all bears harvested at a mandatory bear check station. Check Stations will be open today (12/6) from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and will be open noon – 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 7 through Saturday, December 10. 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.
Regulation Changes
- 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.
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More Information
- 2022 Bear Hunting Season Information
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