The hunt aims to control the state's black bear population, now estimated at about 2,900.
Hardy Wiedemann, left watches as Mike Madonia, both with the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Commission, remove a tooth from a 225-pound female Black Bear that Harold Justnes, of Port Murray, shot on his farm Monday. As part of the processing, a tooth is removed to help determine the bear's age.
A 165-pound male was the first black bear to be killed as New Jersey's six-day hunt got under way at sunrise Monday.
Environmental Department officials report that a Boonton man killed the bear in Jefferson Township, Morris County, shortly after morning fog lifted.
The second bear to be taken was a 124-pound male in Sparta, Sussex County.
The hunt aims to control the state's black bear population, now estimated at about 2,900.
State environmental officials say New Jersey's two-year-old black bear management program, which includes a hunt, trash management and education, has reduced the bear population and the number of bear-human interactions.
The hunt runs until sunset Saturday, concurrent with the firearm deer hunting season.
Hunting is allowed north of Interstate 78 and west of Interstate 287.