This story is free to read.

Firearm-only bear hunt in New Jersey resumes

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, file photo, a woman holds a sign with a bear near the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J., as she and other animal activists renewed their calls for New Jersey officials to help ensure the welfare of a bear that walks upright and has become a social media darling. The death of a black bear presumed to be "Pedals" who walked upright on its hind legs due to an injury, is now serving as a rallying cry for those opposed to New Jersey's bear hunt. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, file photo, a woman holds a sign with a bear near the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J., as she and other animal activists renewed their calls for New Jersey officials to help ensure the welfare of a bear that walks upright and has become a social media darling. The death of a black bear presumed to be "Pedals" who walked upright on its hind legs due to an injury, is now serving as a rallying cry for those opposed to New Jersey's bear hunt. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

By Associated Press December 5, 2016 1 min read

NEWTON, N.J. (AP) – Hunters are heading out across parts of New Jersey for the second half of this year’s bear hunt.

The firearm-only hunt starts Monday morning and is scheduled to last through Saturday, but could end early depending on how many bears are culled.

Hunters killed 549 bears during October’s six-day hunt, which was limited to bows and arrows and muzzle-loading guns.

New Jersey approved resuming the bear hunt in 2003 after more than 30 years as a way to curb a growing population that was increasingly crossing paths with humans.

Animal rights’ groups and lawmakers say the hunt causes more problems and is “inhumane.”

Opponents are rallying behind the apparent death of Pedals, a bipedal bear and internet celebrity believed to be killed in October’s hunt.