Bow Hunter Sets Controversial Record by Killing 770-Pound Black Bear

A New Jersey bow hunter has set a new state record by killing a staggering 770-pound black bear, a development that is eliciting a mix of admiration and concern among wildlife advocates and local communities. Brian Melvin, 39, tracked the bear for three years, diligently seeking permission to hunt across various properties where the bear might roam. This pursuit culminated in Melvin’s successful hunt in Kinnelon on Tuesday morning, using a compound bow.

According to Melvin, he first spotted the bear during a hunting session three years ago and has since been fixated on tracking the animal, which he described as exceptionally intelligent and elusive. “I wasn’t really chasing records … it was an incredible honor to have chased him because he was the smartest animal I had ever chased,” Melvin stated, as reported by multiple outlets. His claims about the bear’s behavior suggest a level of interaction that some might find troubling, particularly in light of the bear’s significant size.

Eyewitness accounts and reports from the hunter reveal that Melvin was positioned 45 yards away from the bear when he took the shot. He claimed the bear had not remained in one location for more than six months, complicating his efforts to secure a successful hunt. “Last year I had him on camera. He vanished until May of this year,” Melvin noted, highlighting the perceived cunning of the animal.

State fish and wildlife officials confirmed that Melvin’s bear is the heaviest black bear ever recorded in New Jersey, surpassing a previous record of 700 pounds set in October 2019. Melvin speculated that if he had not gutted the bear, it could have weighed as much as 900 pounds, a figure that has raised eyebrows among wildlife biologists. According to him, failing to gut the animal within an hour would lead to spoilage, seemingly justifying his swift action, albeit stirring ethical discussions on wildlife management and hunting practices.

The bear hunt in New Jersey, which has garnered significant attention, is regulated with strict limits, including a restriction that allows only one bear to be harvested per permitted hunter per season. The hunt, which runs until Saturday, has reportedly seen 285 bears killed thus far. Conservationists have expressed concern about the implications of such hunts.

While Melvin’s feat is celebrated by some hunting enthusiasts, it raises critical questions about the ethics of trophy hunting and the impact on local ecosystems. Animal rights advocates worry that such record-breaking incidents may encourage more aggressive hunting practices, potentially leading to the endangerment of black bear populations, already vulnerable in certain regions.

As reported, Melvin has been bow hunting since his early 20s and has previously slain a bear weighing 400 pounds. His continued pursuit of larger trophies prompts discussions about the motivations behind such hunts and their effects on wildlife conservation efforts. The recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate over hunting practices in New Jersey and beyond.

The approval for this bear hunt is in place through the 2027 season, meaning such encounters are likely to continue. As the community digests this latest event, the balance between wildlife management and conservation ethics remains a pressing concern, echoing unresolved tensions between hunters and environmentalists.