Black bear hunt underway

A BEAR hunt aimed at thinning New Jersey’s burgeoning black bear population got underway at daybreak yesterday, with hunters venturing out in freezing temperatures to try their luck.

Animal rights groups had unsuccessfully challenged plans for the hunt, approved by the state because of increasing numbers of bear sightings and complaints.

The six-day season is expected to lure about 5,000 hunters to New Jersey’s rural north-western counties.