Bear Hunting Regulations

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Regulations in red are new this year.

*Upon publication of the 2022 comprehensive black bear management plan in the NJ Register, the 2023 black bear hunting season will follow the regulations listed below.*

A current and valid archery or firearm or all-around sportsman hunting license and a Black Bear Hunting Permit is required to hunt black bear. See Black Bear Management Zones section below; see also Black Bear Hunting Permits section below.

Youth hunters aged 10 through 13 on or before October 8, 2023, must be under the direct supervision of a properly licensed adult (21 years of age or older) while bear hunting. The adult must also possess a black bear hunting permit. Direct supervision means the youth hunter and the supervising adult are together at the same location. The youth hunter may not hunt independently of the adult.

The Black Bear hunting season consists of two separate segments, Segment A in October, and Segment B in December. In total, a hunter with valid permits may harvest up to two bears, one in each segment. The season bag limit is one bear per permit, but only one bear may be taken per segment, regardless of the number of permits the hunter holds.

Apprentice License holders may NOT hunt black bear. The skills necessary to hunt black bear are not commensurate with an introductory hunting experience as the apprentice license program is intended to provide.

Black Bear Hunting Permits

Permits are valid for the entire black bear hunting season, including Segment A in October and Segment B in December. A hunter may not possess more than two unfilled permits at any time during the entire season; these permits must be for different zones.

If no bear is taken during Segment A, the permit(s) is still valid for hunting in Segment B. If a hunter harvests a bear during Segment A, that permit is no longer valid, though the hunter may purchase a permit for that same zone to use during Segment B, if available when permit sales re-open on Nov. 1. Hunters who purchase only one permit prior to the end of Segment A, and do not harvest a bear during Segment A, may continue to use that permit during Segment B, plus may purchase a second permit after Nov. 1 for a different zone.

Hunters who purchase two permits prior to the end of Segment A and do not fill either permit during Segment A may NOT purchase a third permit when permit sales reopen in November.

Permit sales are broken into two periods: 10 a.m. on Sept. 11–Oct. 14 and again beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 until the end of the season or until permit quotas are reached. Hunters are strongly urged to purchase permits during the early sales period. Permits can be purchased at licenses agents or online.

Black Bear Hunting Seasons 2023–2024
Both a valid firearm or archery or all-around sportsman hunting license and bear hunting permit are required to hunt black bears. Bear hunting permits are specific to a bear management zone. There is a physical bear check requirement (there is no Automated Harvest Report System for black bears). See below for information on checking a harvested black bear. See Black Bear Hunting Permits section above for information on obtaining a Black Bear Hunting Permit.
Season Segment	Season Dates	Hunting Hours	Authorized Weapon Types / Harvest Reporting
Segment A - Black Bear Hunting Season
Segment A	Mon., Oct. 9–Sat., Oct. 14, 2023	½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset	Archery: Mon., Oct. 9–Sat., Oct. 14, 2023 Archery/Muzzleloader: Thurs., Oct. 12–Sat., Oct. 14, 2023. (Muzzleloader rifle legal during the last three days of Seg A plus all of Seg B). Harvest Reporting: By 9 p.m. on the day of harvest. See additional regulations below.*
Bag Limit: One bear, >75 lbs live weight
Segment B - Black Bear Hunting Season
Segment B	Mon., Dec. 4–Sat., Dec. 9, 2023	½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset	Shotgun/Muzzleloader: Mon., Dec. 4–Sat., Dec. 9, 2023 Harvest Reporting: By 7 p.m. on the day of harvest. See additional regulations below.*
Segment B Extension (If authorized. Notification of this will be made on Monday, Dec. 11)	Wed., Dec. 13–Sat Dec., 16, 2023	½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset	Shotgun/Muzzleloader: Wed., Dec. 13–Sat., Dec. 16, 2023 Harvest Reporting: By 7 p.m. on the day of harvest. See additional regulations below.*
Bag Limit Segment B including Extension: One bear, >75 lbs live weight
* Black Bear Hunting Regulations for Segment A, Segment B, and Segment B Extension: Hunters may not attempt to take or kill a black bear weighing less than 75 lbs (live weight), or less than 50 lbs dressed. Hunters may not attempt to take or kill a black bear that is in the presence of cub(s) weighing less than 75 lbs. Hunters may not attempt to take or kill a black bear or possess a weapon within 300 ft. of a baited area when hunting black bears. Only one muzzleloader may be in possession while bear hunting. While bear hunting, a weapon may not be in possession within 300 feet of a baited area. Firearm bear hunters are required to wear 200 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange while bear hunting. Bowhunters in tree stands should consider wearing hunter orange during the last three days of Segment A. All firearm bear hunters utilizing a ground blind must follow fluorescent orange requirements pertaining to hunting from a ground blind as specified under Hunter Orange section in General Hunting Regulations.

Firearms, Bows and Ammunition Legal for Black Bear Hunting
Weapon	Segment	Weapon Type	Gauge, Caliber or Draw Weight	Projectile(s)	Firearm Sights, Bow Releases	Weapon Transportation
Bow	Segment A: October 9–14, 2023	Long, recurve, compound, or crossbow. Only bows capable of firing a single projectile may be used.	35 pounds of pull at draw length(long and recurve) or peak weight (compound) or 75 pounds minimum draw weight (crossbow)	Well-sharpened metal broadhead with a minimum width of 3/4"	Handheld release devices are permitted. Prohibited: Any sight or device that casts a beam of light	All bows MUST be unnocked or uncocked.
Muzzleloader (must also have Rifle Permit)	Segment A: October 12–14, 2023 and all of Segment B and Extension	Single-barrel, single shot flintlock, percussion, or in-line rifle	Not less than .44 caliber	Single projectile	Telescopic sights permitted. Prohibited: Modern smokeless powder.	MUST be cased and unloaded while being transported in or on vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs. Unloaded means percussion caps is removed or powder emptied from the pan and frizzen is covered.
Shotgun	Segment B and Extension	Rifled bore; not capable of holding more than 3 slugs	Not smaller than 20 gauge or larger than 10 gauge	Lead, lead alloy, or copper or sabot slug only	Telescopic sights permitted. Must have an adjustable open iron or peep sight or an affixed scope.	MUST be cased and unloaded while being transported in or on vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs

Black Bear Hunting Regulations

Cubs under 75 pounds live weight, and adults in the company of cubs weighing less than 75 lbs live weight may NOT be harvested.
No person shall attempt to take or kill a black bear or have in their possession or control any firearm, bow or other weapon of any kind within 300 feet of a baited area. On National Wildlife Refuges and at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the distribution of bait and/or hunting over bait is prohibited. Hunters should also check with the landowner or administrative agency before placing bait on any hunting area.
Firearm black bear hunters must wear a hat of solid fluorescent orange or an outer garment containing at least 200 square inches of fluorescent orange material visible from all sides at all times while bear hunting. If hunting from a blind, 200 square inches of fluorescent orange material must be atop or adjacent to the blind, as specified under Hunter Orange in General Hunting Regulations. During the last three days of Segment A, bowhunters in tree stands should consider wearing hunter orange.
It is illegal to use dogs to pursue or run black bears.
Allowable hunting methods: stand hunting, still-hunting, or drive hunting.
It is illegal to take or attempt to take a bear in a den structure.

After Harvesting a Bear – Mandatory Bear Check Requirement

Properly licensed hunters who harvest a black bear shall immediately complete and affix to the bear hide the “Black Bear Transportation Tag” from their Black Bear Hunting Permit. Information to report, on the black bear transportation tag shall include hunter’s name, address, and Conservation ID number; date and time of kill; nearest road; county and municipality of kill; and the sex of the black bear. When field dressing a black bear, leave the sex organs intact, attached to the body. A harvested black bear may be quartered and brought out of the field in sections. Hunters shall surrender the black bear transportation tag and will be issued a legal possession seal. Bears MUST be brought to a designated black bear check station on the day harvested.

Any legally killed black bear recovered too late to be brought to a designated black bear check station by closing time on the date of the kill must be reported immediately by telephone to the Northern Region Office, Bureau of Law Enforcement (908) 735-8240. Hunters must leave their name, address, and a telephone number where they can be reached. The hunter will be contacted with instructions for the bear to be registered and to receive a legal possession seal. To protect the meat from spoilage, the hunter may retain only the head and hide for checking the next day. Note: within 48 hours after a bear is checked, a hunter may be required to produce the meat of the bear or produce records relating to the location of the meat, such as a butcher shop, upon request of a conservation police officer. After Saturday during the regular season segments or Saturday during a season extension (if announced), hunters reporting a bear harvest via the Law Enforcement recorder will be contacted by a Fish and Wildlife biologist on Sunday to legally check the bear and to collect biological data.

For locations and hours of mandatory Black Bear Check Stations and additional information regarding bear hunting in New Jersey visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/bear-hunting-season-information/

Mandatory Black Bear Check Stations

In the event of a season extension, bear check station information will be announced on Fish and Wildlife's website NJFishandWildlife.com and sent out through email and text message.

Hours

Segment A: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Segment B: noon to 7 p.m.

Warren County

Pequest Wildlife Management Area - 605 Pequest Road, Oxford

Morris County

Black River Wildlife Management Area* (Segment A only) - 275 North Road, Chester
Green Pond Golf Course - 714 Green Pond Rd, Rt. 513, Rockaway

Sussex County

Flatbrook Roy WMA** - Rt. 615 (Walpack Rd.), Sandyston
Whittingham WMA - 148 Fredon-Springdale Rd., Newton

* Operating Opening Day and Saturday during Segment A only.

** Operating all week during Segment A plus operating only on Opening Day and Saturday during Segment B.

Black Bear Season Extension

In the event of a season extension, bear check information will be announced via news release, placed on Fish and Wildlife’s social media pages and website, and sent out through email and text message.

Black Bear Management Zones

Map for general reference only.

For a complete description of the Black Bear Management Zones, see Fish and Wildlife’s bear management zone webpage at NJFishandWildlife.com/bearzonemap.htm.