Bill Crain, arrested for an eighth time protesting the hunt, is due in court Wednesday Watch video
The college professor arrested eight times since 2005 while protesting the state's bear hunt may find out Wednesday if he is going back to jail.
Bill Crain and four other protesters arrested during the 2017 hunt, which concluded Sunday, are scheduled to appear Wednesday in Andover Township Municipal Court.
Bill Crain appearing Dec. 8, 2016 in municipal court in Andover Township Crain, 73, was arrested Oct. 14 after exiting the designated protest area in Fredon and walking across the street toward a check station for hunters returning with bears.
The City College of New York psychology professor spent just over a week in jail last winter following his seventh conviction stemming from an act of civil disobedience during the hunt.
His six prior convictions were resolved with fines, but Municipal Court Judge James Devine -- the same judge presiding Wednesday -- had warned Crain of a harsher penalty if he persisted.
Crain remains the only protester sent to jail since New Jersey resumed the controversial bear hunt in 2003, following a moratorium of three decades.
His possible fate on Wednesday is another flash point in the contentious, long-running bear hunt debate.
Michael Bush, a hunter, said he believes Crain deserves at least 30 days in jail.
"If a person hasn't learned, in my opinion, after going to jail, we need to put them in jail for a longer period of time. Whatever it takes to get the point across," Bush said.
Angi Metler, executive director of the Animal Protection League of New Jersey and the Bear Education and Resource (BEAR) group, said she and others will be present Wednesday to support Crain.
"We're hoping for the best, because Bill Crain doesn't deserve to be behind bars," Metler said.
Crain, a grandfather of six, lives with his wife on a 40-acre animal sanctuary farm in Dutchess County, N.Y., about a two-hour drive from the Andover Township courtroom.
"I'm willing to go to jail, if that's what the powers that be at the court decide," Crain said on Tuesday.
"I'm not looking forward to it, but that's a way of demonstrating that we need to start showing compassion toward the non-human animals, the other beings that are on the planet with us," Crain said.
The five protesters arrested during the 2017 hunt all face the same three charges, including obstructing the administration of law, the state Department of Environmental Protection said.
The other defendants are Cheryl A. Monnett, 48, of West Milford; Danielle Varon, 50, of Vernon; Catherine McCartney, 49, of Vernon; and Jerome Mandel, 72, of Newton.
All will be represented Wednesday by Doris Lin, an attorney specializing in animal rights issues.
Lin declined comment Tuesday.
Wedesday's hearing is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.
A total of 409 bears were killed in the 2017 hunt, which took place over 16 days in October and December.
While bear hunts were held annually under Gov. Chris Christie, Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has said he will order a halt, pending additional research into alternatives.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook