The start of fall bear hunting is set to begin on Monday.

For the next six days, licensed hunters will get to enjoy the sport, but space will be limited.

This comes after Gov. Phil Murphy ordered state lands closed to hunters.  The governor's recent decision to scale back bear hunting promoted two types of reactions - opponents call it a small victory, while proponents call it a dire mistake.

Cody McLaughlin, of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, says he feels that Murphy’s action to ban bear hunting on state land is an irresponsible and dangerous way to fulfill a campaign promise.  With 40 percent of land taken offline this year for bear hunters, McLaughlin says that controlling the bear population will be compromised.

Environmental groups and animal rights activists, such as Bear Education and Resource, say bear hunting is a senseless and inhumane sport.  They counter that it’s not about reducing the bear population, but the goal of some is recreation and trophies.

Animal rights groups say they plan to protest Monday.