The second phase of New Jersey's black bear hunt was off to slow start.
As of Wednesday, hunters using firearms killed nine bruins since the hunt resumed Monday, state Division of Fish & Wildlife figures showed. Six of the bears killed were in Sussex County.
What to Know About the Bear Hunt
- Hunters with rifles are taking aim at black bears in New Jersey this week.
- Nine bruins were killed over the first three days of the resumed hunt, New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife figures showed.
- Hunters face restrictions on where they can hunt and what they must don once they bag a bear.
By comparison, there were 171 harvested during the first three days of the first phase of the hunt, which took in place in October.
Hunters using archery and muzzleloaders bagged 265 bruins during the first segment
The six-day hunt, which is slated to end Saturday, could be extended by four days if harvest objectives are not met.
Hunting is restricted to five zones and hunters must bring their bears to a check station.
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The six-day hunt could end early if the number of bears killed reaches 30%. But the hunt could be extended by four days if the minimum of 20% harvest of bears are not tagged.
The first phase of the bear hunt took place in October. Hunters using archery and muzzleloaders bagged 265 bruins during that segment.
Hunting is restricted to five zones and hunters must bring their bears to a check station.
The most bears killed during the first phase of the hunt were in Sussex County.
