Despite concerns from environmentalists, the Murphy administration is allowing a black bear hunt to resume due to rising damage and nuisance reports. But the six-day December hunt season will not be a free-for-all; regulations are strictly in place. Some 11,000 hunting permits will be available to properly licensed hunters, allocated by the bear management zone; there are five such zones. Hunters can purchase up to two permits each but can only harvest one bear during the season. 

The decision to allow the hunt was made after a 237% increase in reports of bear damage and nuisance compared to the same time in 2021. The state’s goal for this year’s hunt is to reach a cumulative 30% harvest rate. If the harvest rate is less than 20%, the hunt, planned to take place on December 5-10, will be extended to December 17. Conservationists have argued that the state didn’t take enough nonlethal measures to prevent the growing bear population. And with one concern being the danger of firearms, the Department of Environmental Protection released regulations on which shotguns and rifles are approved for use, as well how to transport them.