Today marks the first day of the first 6-day bear killing session in New Jersey. Although we’re encouraged that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his proposal to end the annual black bear trophy hunt starting in 2021, hundreds of bears will still fall victim to this year’s hunt, which begins today.

New Jersey’s bear hunt is particularly cruel. New Jersey is one of two states that allow hunters to kill bears of any age – even cubs. The other state that allows such cruelty is Alaska.

Last year, hunters killed 315 black bears during New Jersey’s six-day bear hunt.

The NJ Black Bear Protection Coalition has been working very hard over these months to effectuate an end to NJ’s cruel and extreme black bear trophy hunt, and had planned a Caravan Rally from Princeton to the Governor’s mansion at Drumpthwacket today. Unfortunately, due to weather forecasts of up to 2 inches or more of rain and high winds and possible hazardous conditions, they felt obligated to postpone.

In its stead, the Coalition will hold a “Spare the Bears” zoom rally at noon today, Monday, October 12.

PLEASE consider joining via the link below:

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95634763599?pwd=cWxpME1PclpCT2lEZGl4dHJWcElDUT09

Meeting ID: 956 3476 3599  Passcode: 379388

Phone: 646 558 8656 US

The online event will feature State Senator Raymond Lesniak, who has been a champion advocate for our state’s bears, as well as remarks from several leaders of the Coalition, and then we will open the floor for comments and questions from attendees.

Members of the Wolf Conservation Center will be joining, and we hope you will too. If you cannot join us, please share the link with a friend who is an animal advocate!