Could NJ’s Bear Hunt Come To An End?

Governor-elect Phil Murphy has called for a ban on bear hunting, and officials are expecting this season's bear hunt to be New Jersey's last.

Murphy says that before authorizing another hunt, the state needs a “fuller understanding and proof” that hunts work better than nonlethal options to manage the state's bear population.

New Jersey brought back the state-regulated bear hunt in 2003 after a ban that lasted more than 30 years. Another hunt was held in 2005, and in 2010 the state made it annual.

Are you a hunter? Have you ever taken part in one of the state's bear hunts? I understand the idea of population control and keeping bears away from humans, but I agree that it's always a good idea to step back and look at alternative options.

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