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Dozens of black bears killed so far in New Jersey hunt

Hunters have killed 171 bears so far during New Jersey's latest black bear hunt

A black bear walks along a dirt road in the late afternoon.
A black bear walks along a dirt road in the late afternoon.Read moreJim Bounds / MCT
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

TRENTON, N.J. — Hunters have killed 171 bears so far during New Jersey’s latest black bear hunt.

The state's Division of Fish & Wildlife says 19 bruins were culled Wednesday. That came after 58 were killed on Tuesday and 94 were harvested on Monday, the hunt's opening day.

The hunt is restricted to five zones , as Gov. Phil Murphy has again prohibited hunting on state lands. The highest number of kills have been reported in two zones in northern and northeastern Jersey, where 122 bears overall have been harvested so far.

During the first three days, hunters could only use bows and arrows. Archers and muzzle-loading rifle hunters were allowed starting Thursday.

The bear hunt for firearms only starts Dec. 9.

Hunters killed 225 bears in 2018, the lowest amount since 2003.