Bears Sightings Around Chatham: Here's What To Do

CHATHAM, NJ — Although reported bear activity in New Jersey has gone down this year, state officials advised that this part of the year marks an active period for black bears as they engage in the breeding season.

Bear sightings in and around Chatham have become common in recent weeks, with police warning residents of a non-aggressive bear being spotted just this weekend by Chatham residents.

"Black bear sighting in the area of Jay Road near the swamp. It is non-aggressive, stay away if observed," police said.

In a message to the community, NJ Fish & Wildlife noted that black bears by nature tend to be wary of people, but offered a few safety tips:

• Do not feed bears
• If you live in an area with a large black bear population, close all windows and doors in your house when you are cooking or you are away.
• Have a “Bear Plan” in place for children including the use of whistles, air horns and an escape route.
• Consider installing motion sensor lighting to try to frighten bears away if they enter your yard.

Black bears can be found in a variety of habitats, including mixed hardwood forests, dense swamps, and forested wetlands. They prefer densely forested areas. Excellent bear habitat can be found primarily in Sussex, Passaic, Warren, and Morris counties in New Jersey.

Fish and Wildlife biologists have calculated a 2020 population estimate of 3,158 bears for the region north of Interstate 78 and west of Interstate 287, an increase from the 2,208 bears estimated in 2019.

Black bears actively forage for food after emerging from dens in the spring, and they also actively feed in the fall to prepare for the winter den period. Black bears are also very active during the summer breeding season, which lasts from May to August.

Recently, Tourne County Park in Morris County was temporarily closed while authorities attempt to capture a black bear that has been reported to be aggressive toward visitors.

According to David D. Helmer, Executive Director at the Morris County Park Commission, the park will remain closed for up to seven days unless the bear is trapped sooner.

While the Morris County Sheriff's Patrol Unit has stated that they will be monitoring the park during its closure, Helmer said that the disposition of the bear will be determined by NJ Fish and Wildlife.

Morris County Park Commission officials said that while the park is still closed until further notice, “incidents like this” can be avoided by keeping pets on a short leash.

“Incidents like this can be avoided by not violating Morris County Park Commission Rules & Regulations, Article III, Prohibited Acts-Section 3. Pets must be kept on leashes not exceeding 6 feet in length,” the commission wrote.

This year, state officials have logged 597 bear incidents — 133 sightings and 464 reports of damage and nuisance. Overall, this represents a 27.81 percent decrease from the same time period last year.

Of the 597 sightings, 117 of them took place in Morris County, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said.

According to state officials, some residents may see black bears using yards as natural travel corridors.

The presence of a black bear is not regarded as a problem as bears are generally wary of humans. It is critical not to leave out any food or garbage that may attract bears to residential areas.

"One person feeding bears can create a problem bear that may affect the entire neighborhood," NJ Fish & Wildlife said.