New Jersey bear hunt back on

NEWTON, N.J. - Bear hunting in New Jersey will be allowed to continue. 

The state's supreme court struck down a challenge by an animal rights group to stop it. 

Wednesday was the first full day of the hunt. 

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reports, only a handful of hunters brought the bears they killed to the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area check-in station in Sussex County. 

One hunter brought his two young kids to watch the bear get weighed. He asked we not use his name, or show his children. 

"They want to see everything that's going on. We make it a whole process. They'll see me skin it. We'll eat it. They want to be involved," he said. 

Weighing bears is a state requirement. Hunters can't kill bears who weigh less than 75 pounds. They'll face up to a $300 fine if they do. 

Animal rights activists have held protests across the street over the years, but on Wednesday they chose to stay away. They're angry at Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat they thought was on their side. 

"He tried nothing, and when you do nothing, it's not going to work," said activist Angie Metler. "A bear resistant can is like contraception in a can. If bears don't have access to food, they will not breed. A fed bear is a dead bear, it's that simple."

Wildlife officials say they've tried nonlethal management policies, including educating the public, but it hasn't worked. They say reports of bears causing nuisance and damage have increased by 237% this year compared to last year. It's what they say led them to bring back the bear hunt. 

"As densities in more wooded, rural areas increase, bears will disperse. So that's where we see a lot of those urban bears," said Dave Golden, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife assistant commissioner. 

Over the years, one person has been killed by a bear, but wildlife officials say there've been many close encounters and pet attacks. 

Animal rights groups are continuing their fight in court. Former State Senator Ray Lesniak is working with them. 

"We are going to be filing suit to disband the Fish and Game Council, which has dominated a majority of hunters, sportsman, which violates the constitution of the state of New Jersey," Lesniak said. 

"They kill cubs for foot stools and bears for rugs and for mounting on the walls," Metler said. 

"It's a management hunt. Bears need to be controlled, and hunting is a great way to control them," the hunter said. 

The bear hunt will continue through December 10th. Wildlife officials say if they don't reach a 20% harvest rate, the hunt will be extended an additional four days. 

The hunt was supposed to start last week, but was put on hold while opposing sides went to court. 

For more information about the hunt, including regulations and safety tips, CLICK HERE.