NEWTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- The state of New Jersey is set to begin its annual bear hunt on Monday.The six-day event is meant to keep the bear population in check and reduce the number of bear encounters with humans.The event remains controversial as critics claim the bear population is stable.
In 2018, Governor Phil Murphy announced new restrictions on the event and there are even more restrictions this year.
Murphy has banned hunters from taking black bears on state lands displeasing sportsmen.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said there has been an 80% reduction in the number of complaints about nuisance bears since 2010, when hunts became an annual occurrence. He says that had been the justification for having the hunt.
“We don’t believe the hunt is necessary or needed, that the bear population has been steadily declining to the point that we don’t believe the hunt is sustainable,” Tittel said.225 bears were killed during last year's event, the lowest number of any hunt since 2003.
Most of the state's bears live in the northwestern portion if the state.
The current bear management plan was adopted in 2015, and a new five-year strategy would have to be formulated for next year.