More than 200 bears killed on 1st day of 2016 hunt

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — More than 200 animals were killed during the first day of New Jersey's expanded black bear hunt.

There were 206 bears killed on Monday, including 60 brought to check stations later Monday. State officials had previously said there were 146 bears killed.

There were 510 bears killed during last year's hunt, which was the second-highest number since the hunt re-started in 2010.

State Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Robert Geist cited increased human and bear interaction as the reason for the extended hunt.

Monday was the first of the six-day hunting season. The first three days are reserved for bow hunting, while hunting with bows and muzzle-loading guns will be allowed during the last three days.

The firearm-only season for bear hunting this year will take place from Dec. 5-10.