New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

October 5, 2001

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds North Jersey residents to keep their surroundings bear-proof throughout the fall season.

"As temperatures drop, black bears become more active foraging for food and searching out den sites in preparation for winter," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "This boost in activity can bring bears closer to areas of human habitation and increase the possibility for human - bear conflicts."

Research conducted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Black Bear Research Project shows New Jersey is home to at least 1,400 black bears (spring 2001 estimate) and that the population of bears continues to increase. Bears are also expanding their range south and east into areas they have not inhabited for decades. This year alone, biologists have trapped 143 bears for research purposes and have handled 130 others, for a total of 273 individual animals. Police department personnel and park rangers trained by the Division of Fish and Wildlife have also responded to calls from the public regarding bears under an expanded black bear response program.

Since 1997, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has been providing residents with programs on New Jersey's black bears and distributing written information to people on bears. This year, those efforts were greatly expanded. Two new educators were hired to teach more programs to school groups, civic organizations and the general public, and also to assist with the production of informational material. So far this year, 500,000 "Living In Bear Country" (PDF format - see below) brochures have been updated and printed, and are being distributed to residents. In addition, 200,000 billing inserts for garbage companies on "good housekeeping" in bear country, and 100,000 "You Are In Bear Country" (PDF format - see below) brochures for the state park system and private campgrounds were produced. Radio public service announcements are now being played on several stations in northern New Jersey, and more will be released in the future. Video PSA's for television are also in the works, as is a 5-minute loop video for the state park system which will be used to educate campers and park visitors.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers the following tips on "bear - proofing", and reducing problems associated with bears:

• Use common sense in an encounter with a bear. Remain calm and never approach the animal. Make the bear aware of your presence by talking or clapping and always give it an escape route.
• Store garbage in airtight containers in a secure area such as a basement or against the inside wall of a garage.
• Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only and remove all food scraps and food bowls immediately after feeding.
• Hang birdfeeders at least 8 feet off the ground from a free hanging wire.
• Protect beehives and livestock. Electric fencing is sometimes effective in preventing black bear damage.
• NEVER feed a black bear. Bears that are fed either intentionally or unintentionally can become aggressive and dangerous, and may have to be destroyed.
• Report aggressive bears immediately to the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Services Unit at (908)-735-8793. Nuisance or damage problems caused by bears should also be reported to the same number.

* PDF files are viewable with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe's Web site.