By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
A New Jersey hunter set a state record on Tuesday morning when he used a compound bow to kill a 770-pound black bear in Morris County.
Brian Melvin told NJ Advance Media he first saw the massive bear about three years ago and said he’s been actively hunting it during the past two bear hunts. He hit the massive bruin from about 45 yard away at about 7 a.m. Tuesday in Kinnelon.
“He never stayed in the same place for more than six months,” said Melvin, 39, who has been bow hunting since he was in his early 20s. “I spent weeks knocking on doors and getting permission for land that I thought he might be on or at least travel through. Last year I had him on camera. He vanished until May of this year.”
State fish and wildlife officials confirmed the 770 pounds is the largest dressed weight for a black bear recorded during the New Jersey black bear hunt.
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