Never been brave enough to try bear meat.
I have great respect for those who eat bear meat, and great respect for those who won't kill anything they can't eat. I pretty much eat what I kill--deer, turkeys, etc.--but I have no hard and fast rule about having to eat what I kill.
So I won't eat bear meat. But I have no problem killing a bear for (1) its fur or (2) to be a useful game management tool or (3) the thrill of the hunt.
I think any one of those is a valid reason for killing a black bear in NJ--or for hunting any non-endangered animal, for that matter.
For those who disagree, again, I respect your opinion. But too many in the outdoor community are attacking each other--our own--over matters of hunting "purity." A few examples: All fishermen must catch-and-release all fish; a crossbow isn't real bow hunting; a modern in-line muzzeloader isn't real muzzeloader hunting; AR-style rifles shouldn't be used for hunting; shooting a button buck is wrong; baiting is wrong; using dogs is wrong; etc. etc. etc.
So whatever one's opinion is on eating bear meat, just beware divida et impera. That's all I'm saying.