{"id":317,"date":"2021-12-27T19:54:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T00:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=317"},"modified":"2025-08-13T10:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T14:20:19","slug":"black-bear-management-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-management-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Bear Management FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n
\n\n\n<\/a>\n
Black bears are not true hibernators and may be active throughout the year. Prevent bear encounters by securing garbage and other attractants. Learn More ><\/u><\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n
\n\n\n<\/a>\n
To report black bear damage and nuisance behavior, call the DEP\u2019s 24-hour, toll-free hotline: 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337<\/u><\/a><\/strong>)<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New Jersey Fish & Game Council met Sept. 6, 2023 and voted to approve the formal rule adoption document for amendments to the State Game Code and the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP). Upon signing by Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, the rule adoption document was filed with the Office of Administrative Law on Sept. 8 for publication in the Oct. 2 New Jersey Register<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What amendments to the Game Code have been approved by the Fish and Game Council?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Fish and Game Council approved a more restricted regulated hunt including the strict prohibitions on the taking of cubs under 75 pounds, the taking of adults traveling with cubs below 75 pounds, and restrictions on the practice of baiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are current population estimates for black bears in New Jersey?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The DEP estimates that the population in northwestern counties of Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren, where the state\u2019s population is centered, has increased, with estimates of approximately 3,000 black bears, up from approximately 1,500 in 2018. The black bear population is projected to grow to more than 4,000 bears in the next two years. In the absence of population control measures, the rate of population growth will compound in future years as a greater number of female bears reproduce, with population reduction standing as the only scientifically sound method of restraining unchecked growth and dispersal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does a rising black bear population endanger public safety?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Despite the additional non-lethal management efforts that NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has taken, including concerted public outreach and education, reported black bear incidents, including dangerous human-bear interactions, from January through October of 2022 have increased by 237% compared to the same period in 2021. The most concerning of these incidents include: 62 aggressive encounters with humans, 1 human attack, 12 dog attacks, 12 home entries, 15 attempted home entries, 89 instances of property damage, and 52 attacks on protected livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dense populations of bears can also lead to inadequate natural sources of food for the animals and territory for young males. This causes wider dispersion of bears into areas where they are even more likely to come into conflict with people and increases the risk of bears seeking sources of food such as trash, pet food left outside, seed from bird feeders, agricultural crops, and poultry and livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incident reports for the years 2010 through 2025 are available at NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Activity Reports<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why was the black bear hunt previously closed?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The hunt was suspended on state lands in 2018 to provide an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of exclusively using non-lethal measures to maintain the population in a manner that is protective of the public\u2019s safety. Bear hunting on any lands in New Jersey ended in 2021 with the expiration of the previous CBBMP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DECEMBER 2025 HUNT SEASON INFORMATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the season dates for hunting black bear in 2025?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Segment A, of the black bear season will be Monday, October 13 through Saturday, October 18, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Segment B, of the black bear season will be Monday, December 8 through Saturday, December 13, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the harvest rate does not reach 20% during this period, the hunt will be extended to Wednesday, December 17 through Saturday, December 20, 2025. A season extension will be announced on the <\/em>Fish and Wildlife website<\/span><\/em><\/a>, by press release, and via the <\/em>NJ Hunting e-mail list<\/span><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can the season be closed before Saturday, December 14?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes, if the harvest rate reaches 30% of bears tagged in 2025 the season will be closed. In the event of a season closure, notification will be announced on the <\/em>Fish and Wildlife website<\/span><\/em><\/a> <\/em><\/a>and via the<\/em> NJ Hunting E-mail list<\/span><\/em><\/a>. A season closure will become effective 24 hours from the daily legal closing time of the day on which the decision is made.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can I hunt black bears in NJ?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bear hunting is currently only permitted in Bear Management Zones 1 \u2013 5. Hunters may find a map of Bear Management Zones on the <\/em>Fish and Wildlife website (Hunting\/Bear Regulations)<\/span><\/em><\/a> or by using the <\/em>Hunting Explorer app<\/span><\/em><\/a>. State lands have been reopened to bear hunting.  You may hunt bears on any State, private, municipal, county, or federal land within Bear Management Zones 1 \u2013 5 for which you have permission. If in doubt about a property\u2019s availability, please call the managing agency for that specific property for clarification.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the updated regulations for the 2025 bear hunting season?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are three key changes to bear hunting regulations:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n