- Now to the controversy over the return of bear hunting in New Jersey. Starting next month, hunters will be able to once again shoot bears after a unanimous vote by the Fish and Game Council today. It is a major policy reversal for Governor Murphy, who campaigned on a promise to end the hunt. New Jersey reporter Toni Yates has the story. - This is not an emergency. It's a tactic. TONI YATES: Despite the outcry-- - Bear hunts are not necessary to reduce the number of bear-human interactions. TONI YATES: --which was controlled yet steadfast in the outrage over the hunt-- - This is not an emergency. There is no justification. There are no bears running down the street attacking people. In fact, yesterday somebody in Ringwood killed four bears because they think there's an emergency. TONI YATES: --the Fish and Wildlife Council gave black bear hunting the go ahead. - Negative interactions with bears and humans are on the increase. And these non-lethal methods alone do not control the bear population. - I would like to say thank you to Governor Murphy and his administration for their courage to look at the scientific facts about the black bear population and allowing a black bear hunt to take place. - I live in bear country. And I haven't seen a bear in two years. TONI YATES: The anger from opposition aimed directly at where the decision was made-- the governor, who during his first campaign, promised to end the hunt. - The data-- the empirical data and the anecdotal evidence-- was overwhelming that we were coming close to putting people's lives at risk. And we can't let that happen. - My concern is that instead of using sound science, he's using political science and cherry-picked data. TONI YATES: The committee is rushing to round up all the signatures needed, one environmentalist saying the vote today opens up black bear hunting not just for December, but for years to come. When all of those signatures are secured and the governor says he will sign it, licenses can go on sale by as soon as Thursday.