Montville Twp. Would Be Part of Black Bear Hunting Area

The New Jersey Fish and Game council voted yesterday to adopt a comprehensive black bear management policy that includes a potential bear-hunting season in northern New Jersey.

The proposed hunting season would take place over a six-day period in December, and would be the first season for black bear hunting since 2005,  according to a statement released by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"I wish to express my gratitude to the council for its hard work in developing a  science-based policy that recognizes there are a host of bear-management tools that could be employed to reduce conflicts between bears and people, " Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said in a prepared statement.

The council addressed the black bear management issue due to an increase bear population. According to the department, the black bear population north of interstate 80 is approximately  at 3,400 bears. Bears have been reported in all 21 counties. According to DEP documents, as of June 21, 1,264 bear sightings have been reported this year.

Montville animal control officer Gail Strumph said the township has seen its share of black bears over her 20 years of service. But she does not see the bears as particularly dangerous to residents.

"We do have black bears in Montville," she said. "We really haven't had any major problems. We have sightings, but nothing that really concerns us."

In Strumph's opinion, bear sightings in town have always been handled efficiently, with little hazard to residents.

"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."

The December hunt, if signed off on by Martin, will take place in the area north of Route 80 and West of route 287. Outlined as such, the northwest section of the town, which includes the Montville fire department, the Valhalla Club and William Mason Elementary School, would be included in the hunting area.

"Understandably, this issue stirs passions on all sides," Martin said in a release. "I will take all of these views into account as I now work with my staff and advisors in making a decision on the proposed policy. I will make this decision in the coming weeks."

Strumph would not comment specifically on the hunt, but implied that she is aware of both sides of the issue.

"There's no place for them to go," she said. "People keep building and taking away their area. I know people have to live somewhere, but the bears have to live somewhere, too."

According to the DEP, no fatal bear attacks have been reported since 1852.

Information about the black bears and what to do if seeing one can be found attached to this article or at the DEP's website.