New Jersey hunters harvest 362 black bears during first segment of 2026 hunting season
NEW JERSEY — Hunters harvested 362 black bears during the first segment of New Jersey’s 2026 black bear hunting season, with Sussex County recording the highest total, according to figures from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife division.
The six-day hunting period ran from Monday, Oct. 12, through Saturday, Oct. 17, across the state’s designated bear management zones.
Sussex County led the state with 176 bears harvested, followed by Warren County with 86, Morris County with 61, Passaic County with 26 and Hunterdon County with 13. No bears were reported harvested in Bergen, Somerset or Mercer counties.
The highest single-day harvest occurred on opening day, Oct. 12, when hunters took 110 bears statewide. Daily totals then fell to 71 on Oct. 13 and 48 on Oct. 14 before increasing to 78 on Oct. 15.
The final two days of the segment recorded 21 bears on Oct. 16 and 34 on Oct. 17.
Segment A permitted archery hunting throughout the six-day period, with muzzleloader rifles also allowed during the final three days, Oct. 15-17.
The state issued up to 11,000 black bear hunting permits for the 2026 season, with hunting permitted only in bear management zones 1 through 5.
Hunters are limited to one bear per segment, regardless of how many permits they hold. Bears must weigh at least 75 pounds live weight or 50 pounds dressed weight to be legally harvested.
State regulations also prohibit hunters from taking adult bears accompanied by cubs, hunting within 300 feet of a baited area or using dogs to pursue bears.
Second hunting segment scheduled for December
The second segment of New Jersey’s black bear hunting season, known as Segment B, is scheduled for Dec. 7-12 and will permit hunting with shotguns and muzzleloader rifles only. Archery hunting is not permitted during the December segment.
Legal hunting hours remain 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Under the state’s bear management rules, the hunting season may close early if the cumulative harvest reaches 30% of the bears tagged in 2026. Any early closure would take effect 24 hours after the legal closing time on the day the decision is announced.
If the harvest rate does not reach 20%, the December season will be extended from Dec. 16-19. Only eligible hunters with valid Segment B permits who did not harvest a bear during the regular December segment may participate in the extension.
Hunters must possess a valid New Jersey archery, firearm or all-around sportsman hunting license and a special black bear hunting permit for the designated management zone.
All harvested bears must be brought to an authorized bear check station. Hunters are required to immediately attach a transportation tag and bring the animal to a check station to obtain a legal possession seal.
Check stations are located at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County, Whittingham Wildlife Management Area and Flatbrook Roy Wildlife Management Area in Sussex County, and Black River Wildlife Management Area in Morris County.
During the December segment, check stations are scheduled to operate from noon to 7 p.m.
Additional information about hunting regulations, permits and bear management zones is available through the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
