The opening day of New Jersey's Black Bear Hunting Season is fast approaching and hunters are preparing for what should be an excellent season. This year the season will run from December 6 through December 11, concurrent with the Six-Day Firearm Deer Season. Anyone wishing to participate in the black bear hunting season MUST have completed a bear hunting training seminar and possess a Black Bear Hunting Area Permit. For hunters who have not yet completed a training seminar or for those coming into New Jersey from out of state, training classes will be offered on Saturday December 4. To obtain information on class locations and times and to register for a class, visit https://nj.aspirafocus.com/internetsales/ALS/course/course_report.php.

Permits for Hunting Area 1 are no longer available since all Area 1 permits were issued through the lottery. Numerous permits are still available at license agent locations for Hunting Areas 2, 3 and 4. The numbers of permits still available for each black bear Hunting Area are posted on the Division of Fish and Wildlife website at https://nj.aspirafocus.com/internetsales/Home/AvailablePermits. The Black Bear Hunt Areas Map and Descriptions are posted at www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearzonemap.htm, also on the division's site.

Information about New Jersey's Black Bear Hunting Season can be found on pages 60 and 61 of the 2010 Hunting and Trapping Issue of the Fish and Wildlife Digest and at www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearseas10_data.htm. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding black bear hunting regulations are posted at www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfaq10.htm.

Hunters should be aware that while baiting is allowed for deer hunting in New Jersey, no person shall attempt to take or kill a black bear or have in their possession or control any firearm, or other weapon of any kind, while elevated in a standing tree or in a structure 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.