Torricelli denounces NJ bear hunt as ‘unforgiveable’

FREDON — Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli is denouncing New Jersey's bear hunt as "unforgiveable."

Torricelli told NJ.com outside a state weigh station on Saturday that hunters were "slaughtering entire families of bears."

The hunt is scheduled to last through Saturday, but officials say it will be suspended once the cumulative harvest rate of tagged bears reaches 30 percent. The season total is nearly 25 percent.

As of Friday, hunters killed a record 629 bears. The previous record was 592 bears killed in 2010.

The firearms-only hunt began Monday and includes 562 bears that were killed by hunters using bows and arrows and muzzle-loading guns over a six-day period in October.

Opponents say the hunt is "inhumane."

Torricelli ended a re-election bid in 2002 after an ethics panel admonished him over campaign contributions.

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