The 770-Pound Shockwave: How One Hunter Shattered New Jersey's Black Bear Record And Sparked A Firestorm
The New Jersey black bear record was not just broken; it was absolutely obliterated in late 2024, confirming the Garden State is home to some of the largest American black bears on the East Coast. This monumental event, which occurred during the state's tightly regulated black bear hunt, immediately captured national attention, simultaneously celebrating a hunter’s dedication and igniting a fierce debate over wildlife management. As of the current date, December 24, 2025, the official state record stands at a staggering 770 pounds, a weight that has redefined the scale of New Jersey’s apex predators.
The record-breaking harvest is a testament to the robust and expanding black bear population in the state's northwestern counties, particularly in the forested, rugged terrain of Morris County. The story of the hunter, the sheer size of the animal, and the subsequent controversy provide a deep dive into the complex relationship between humans, conservation, and wildlife management in a densely populated state like New Jersey.
Brian Melvin: Profile of the Record-Breaking New Jersey Bowhunter
The man behind the record-setting harvest is Brian Melvin, a dedicated bowhunter whose three-year pursuit of this massive animal finally came to an end in the fall of 2024. While specific personal details are often kept private, the following profile pieces together the known information about the hunter who made state history:
- Name: Brian Melvin
- Age: 39 years old (at the time of the harvest)
- Hometown: West Orange, New Jersey
- Hunting Discipline: Bowhunting (Archery)
- Location of Harvest: Kinnelon, Morris County, New Jersey
- Date of Harvest: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
- Equipment Used: Compound bow
- Target Pursuit: Spent approximately three seasons scouting and tracking the specific bear before the successful harvest
- Controversy: Faced significant public backlash and reportedly received gruesome death threats following the news of the record
The Record-Shattering Bear: 770 Pounds of Pure New Jersey Wilderness
The sheer dimensions of the black bear taken by Brian Melvin are what truly set this event apart. The animal’s size immediately drew comparisons to the largest black bears ever recorded globally, cementing New Jersey’s unexpected position in the annals of big game hunting. The official measurements, confirmed by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDEP), were staggering.
The bear’s official weight was recorded at 770.5 pounds, which is its field-dressed weight (the weight after the internal organs have been removed). This measurement is the standard used by the NJDEP to confirm state records during the black bear hunt. This single measurement was enough to crush the previous state record of approximately 700 pounds, which had been set in 2019.
More astonishing is the bear’s estimated live weight. Wildlife officials and hunting experts estimated the bear's weight before dressing to be between 860 and 880 pounds. This places the New Jersey black bear among the heaviest ever recorded anywhere in North America. The size is a direct indicator of the bear’s age, health, and the plentiful food sources available in the region, which is a key factor in the state’s current management strategies.
Melvin’s patience and dedication were critical to the harvest. He had spent years monitoring the animal, a common practice among serious bowhunters. The successful shot occurred during Segment A of the 2024 Black Bear Hunt, which is dedicated exclusively to archery. The short, three-day window for the archery segment (October 14-16, 2024) makes the record even more remarkable, highlighting the intense preparation required for such a high-stakes hunt.
The Controversy and the Future of Black Bear Management in NJ
The announcement of the record-breaking bear, while celebrated by the hunting community, immediately thrust Brian Melvin and the entire New Jersey Black Bear Hunt program into a national spotlight of controversy. New Jersey, being a state with a high population density and a strong presence of animal protection groups, often sees emotional debates surrounding its wildlife management practices.
The backlash was swift and intense. Melvin received numerous threats and harassment, illustrating the deep divide between those who view the hunt as a necessary management tool and those who see it as an unethical practice. This situation forces a public conversation about the role of hunting in modern conservation, especially in areas where human-bear conflicts are on the rise.
NJDEP’s Integrated Black Bear Management Strategy
The existence of such a large bear is directly tied to the success and challenges of the state’s Black Bear Management Plan. The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife employs an integrated strategy designed to control the population and minimize negative interactions with humans. The core of the plan focuses on several key areas, all of which are critical to maintaining the health of the bear population while ensuring public safety:
- Hunting Seasons: The controlled hunt, which includes the October archery Segment A and a later Segment B, is the primary tool for population control. The 2025 season, for example, has specific regulations, including a minimum harvest weight of 75 pounds live weight (50 pounds dressed) to protect smaller, younger bears.
- Population Monitoring: The black bear population is centered in the northwestern counties of Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren, but the population has expanded significantly into other areas, including Bergen County. The NJDEP uses research and monitoring to track this expansion.
- Public Education: A major component is educating the public on how to live safely in bear country, focusing on securing garbage and removing attractants to prevent habituation.
- Aversive Conditioning: This involves hazing or trapping and relocating bears that become problematic near human settlements.
The 2025 Season Outlook and Population Trends
The management plan continues to evolve based on population data. The 2025 bear hunt saw a combined statewide harvest of 454 bears, which is a key metric for the NJDEP. Notably, the management plan includes a crucial safety mechanism: the season will be closed early if the cumulative harvest rate reaches 30% of the total bears tagged in 2025.
Interestingly, data from 2025 indicated a drop in reported bear sightings by nearly 33%, which may suggest the management efforts are having an effect on reducing human-bear interactions. However, the presence of record-sized animals like the 770-pound bear taken by Brian Melvin confirms that the core population remains healthy and capable of producing massive, mature animals. The ongoing debate ensures that every future hunt, every sighting, and certainly every new record will be closely scrutinized by conservationists, politicians, and the public alike.
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