Community Corner

Last Year's Biggest Bear Bagged in Montville

A hunter shot and killed a 750-pound bear in the township last year.

Of the 592 black bears killed in last year's bear hunt, the largest bear was shot right here in Montville Township, the state said.

Estimated to weigh more than 750 pounds while it was alive, the male bear's field dressed weight was 651 pounds—more than twice the average weight of male bears older than a year killed during the hunt, according to 2010 black bear hunting season results posted in May by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

This year's six-day in parts of New Jersey, including sections of Montville Township again. It is scheduled to end on Saturday.

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A six-day bear hunt was approved last year and this year to control the bear population. Last year's hunt was the first in five years. The are four hunting zones and

Montville Township animal control officer Gail Strumph

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"Over the years, there's always been sightings in town," she said. "There will be a bear hanging out in a neighborhood and the police will shoot rubber bullets and use the air horn. Usually, the bear gets the message and stops coming around."

According to 2010 black bear hunting season results posted in May by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife,

The average field dressed weight of male bears over 1 year old was 257 pounds with a range of 114 to 651 pounds. The largest adult male had an estimated live weight of over 750 pounds (651 pounds dressed) and was taken in Montville Township, Morris County.


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