A new state record for black bears has been set in New Jersey, after hunter Brian Melvin took down an enormous 770-pound bear in Morris County. Using a compound bow, Melvin secured his place in the record books on a Tuesday morning, following years of tracking the massive animal.
Melvin’s journey to this moment began over two years ago when he first spotted the bear, which proved to be incredibly elusive. “He never stayed in the same place for more than six months,” Melvin, 39, explained in an interview with NJ.com, adding that his dedication to the hunt involved weeks of knocking on doors to secure access to land where the bear might roam. Last year, he caught the bear on camera, only for it to vanish again, reappearing this May.
Finally, his persistence paid off.
After re-locating, about a month before the hunting season, Melvin encountered the animal around 7 a.m. in Kinnelon. From 45 yards away, he took his shot, marking the culmination of years of patience and effort.
State wildlife officials confirmed that the 770-pound bear is the largest recorded during the New Jersey black bear hunt, surpassing the previous record of 700 pounds set in 2020 by Jeff Melillo, also in Morris County.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who once bragged about “Eating the #$$ out of a bear,” had no comment on the kill.
For Melvin, who has been bow hunting since his early 20s, the achievement represents more than just a personal triumph—it’s a testament to his persistence and skill in navigating the challenging hunt of such a large and elusive animal.