On the third day of New Jersey's black bear hunt, state wildlife officials say that a dozen bears were killed.

Hunters bagged 52 bears on Tuesday, down from 257 on the first day of the hunt Monday. Hunters faced more rain as well as the chance for snow overnight in the northwest corner of the state. Meanwhile, animal activists have asked the state supreme court to overturn a lower court ruling that restricts the number of protesters allowed at the Franklin bear check station in Sussex County. The state says the limit is needed for the protesters' safety. The state hopes the six-day hunt thins the bear population to help reduce interactions with humans. Officials: More than 200 bears killed in first day of NJ huntBlack bear hunt begins in northern New JerseyActivists: Stop black bear hunt before it starts Animal rights advocates ask court to halt bear hunt State court rules black bear hunt can proceed