TRENTON, N.J. ? Four activists, including two prominent leaders of an animal rights group, were arrested Wednesday as black-bear hunters took to the state’s chilly northwestern woods for a third day.

As of 2:30 p.m., 216 bruins had been killed in New Jersey’s second bear hunt in 35 years, a response to a rise in nuisance complaints and bear sightings in the past year.

Not everyone feels that response is justified. Four such opponents were charged with harassing hunters in Wawayanda State Park in Vernon, the location of one of five check stations and a primary congregating point for anti-hunt activists.

They have vowed to comb the woods for wounded bears through Saturday, when the hunt is scheduled to end.