636 Bears Killed During Annual Hunt

More than 630 black bears were killed during this year's state-sanctioned hunt — the most number killed since the hunt was reinstituted in 2010.

The vast majority of the 636 bears killed, 562, were killed during the first half of the 12-day hunt where hunters could only use bows and arrows and muzzle-loaded guns. It was the first time in 40 years hunters could use those weapons.

The hunt was again mired in controversy, with protesters and animal rights' and environmental groups saying the "trophy" hunt was unnecessary and only done for sport.

The Department of Environmental Protection said the annual hunt is part of the state's overall strategy to control New Jersey's black bear population.

RELATED: 'Pedals,' The New Jersey Bear That Walked On Two Feet, Is Feared Dead

The hunt was also controversial over the reported death of "Pedals," a beloved bruin who was allegedly killed on the first day of the hunt, Oct. 10. The bear gained a cult following online after it was first spotted walking on its hind legs in the summer of 2014. The bear walked upright because of injuries to its front paws and was filmed numerous times. The videos went viral and a Facebook page was created that allowed people to track the beloved bruin online.

More than half of the bears killed this year — 344 — were harvested in Sussex County. The majority of the remaining 46 percent were killed in Warren, Morris, and Passaic counties; 106 were killed in Warren, 104 in Morris, and 64 in Passaic.

Just three bears were killed in Bergen County and 15 in Hunterdon County.

The previously highest number of black bears killed was 592 in 2010.

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