NJ bear hunt expansion under consideration

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The state department of environmental protection has scheduled a public hearing for next month to consider expanding the state's annual bear hunt.

The Fish and Game Council has recommended adding another six-day season starting in October 2016. It also proposes expanding the hunt to most of northern New Jersey.

A December hunt has been in place since 2010. The new October hunt would be limited to bow hunters.

A hearing is scheduled for June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, and residents can submit written comments until July 17.

The New Jersey Sierra Club says that the bear hunts are unwarranted and won't help manage the bear population in the state.

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