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 on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and will end on Saturday, Dec. 20. Hunting hours on each day are one half-hour prior to sunrise to one half-hour after sunset.

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

Hunters are reminded of the following important regulations changes now in place:

• 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.

During this extension period, the Pequest Wildlife Management Area and Whittingham Wildlife Management Area Check Stations will be the ONLY stations open from Noon to 7 p.m.  It is mandatory that hunters check all harvested bears at one of these two open stations. 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.

• Pequest Wildlife Management Area, 605 Pequest Road, Oxford
• Whittingham WMA, 148 Fredon-Springdale Rd., Newton

More Information:

• 2025 Bear Hunting Season Information
• Black Bear Management FAQs
• Hunter Guidance for the 2025 Bear Season
• 2025-26 Hunting & Trapping Digest – Bear Regulation Pages

Hunters should continue to monitor the NJ Fish & Wildlife Bear Hunting Season Information webpage for the most up to date information.