New Jersey extends black bear hunting season Dec. 17–20 for shotgun, muzzleloader hunters
NEW JERSEY — State wildlife officials have approved a four-day extension of New Jersey’s December black bear hunting season, reopening the hunt from Wednesday, Dec. 17, through Saturday, Dec. 20, for shotgun and muzzleloader hunters only.
The extension follows the conclusion of the state’s 2025 black bear hunt segments, which resulted in a combined statewide harvest of 454 bears, according to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Officials said the additional hunting days are permitted under state regulations when harvest objectives tied to public safety and population management are not fully met.
Segment A of the hunt, held from Oct. 13 through Oct. 18, accounted for 368 bears harvested statewide. Segment B, which ran from Dec. 8 through Dec. 13, resulted in an additional 86 bears.
During Segment B, harvest totals by county included Sussex County and Warren County with 38 bears each, Hunterdon County with five, Morris County with four, and Passaic County with one. No bears were harvested during Segment B in Bergen, Somerset or Mercer counties.
When totals from both segments are combined, Sussex County recorded 223 bears, followed by Warren County with 120, Morris County with 65, Passaic County with 29, Hunterdon County with 14, Bergen County with two, and Somerset County with one. No bears were harvested in Mercer County during either segment.
The season extension will run from Dec. 17 through Dec. 20, with legal hunting hours each day from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Zone permits remain available and may be purchased beginning at 10 a.m.
State officials reminded hunters that existing regulations remain in effect. Hunters may not attempt to take a black bear weighing less than 75 pounds live weight, or less than 50 pounds dressed, and may not take an adult bear in the presence of cubs. It is also illegal to attempt to take a bear, or to possess a loaded weapon, within 300 feet of a baited area while bear hunting.
During the extension period, only two mandatory check stations will be open: the Pequest Wildlife Management Area in Oxford and the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area in Newton. All harvested bears must be checked in person between noon and 7 p.m., and hunters must surrender the black bear transportation tag to receive a legal possession seal. Automated bear check-in will not be available.
