Black Bear Hunt Approved, Set For December

New Jersey department of environmental protection Commissioner Bob Martin signed off on a comprehensive black bear management policy that would include a six-day hunting season for parts of Morris county, including Montville. The commissioner approved the policy on Wednesday, July 21.

In a release from the DEP, Martin says that bear hunting is the "only proven option."

"Although I respect that some New Jersey residents are opposed to hunting bears, [it is] the most cost-effective method of wildlife population control," he said.

According to the release, the black bear population has increased to 3,400 since 1992 and bears have been encountered in all 21 state counties.

The black bear hunt would take place in December, concurrent with deer hunting season, and would be located in sections of a 1,000 square-mile area north of Route 80. Besides the hunt, the policy includes public education, research and analysis of bear habitats and enhanced efforts to keep bears away from human food.

"This is a truly comprehensive new black bear policy that takes advantage of the most current management tools available to us and will properly guide us in managing this most valued wildlife resource,'' Martin said.

Based on earlier conditions set by the  NJ DEP council, the hunt would include the northwest section of the township.

According to the DEP, 1.261 black bear incidents have been reported this year as of June 20.

Representatives from the township's animal control said that while Montville has had bear sitings in the past, the presence of the animals is not a major concern.

According to the black bear policy, a license to hunt bears will have to be purchased for $28.