Tips for Avoiding Conflicts with Bears

Black bears have emerged from winter dens and are entering their most active period of the year in search of food and mates, which makes encounters with humans in populated areas more likely, state officials announced this week. 

New Jersey residents, particularly those living in "bear country'' in
northwest New Jersey, are advised to take a few simple precautions this
spring to reduce the risk of potential encounters.

"Black bear sighting and incidents, which dropped last year, are
down substantially again this year,'' said Department of Environmental
Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. "But even with this initial success, state residents can further reduce the risk of interactions with bears this spring by taking a few commonsense steps. Most importantly, do not feed bears, either intentionally or unintentionally."

Bears that learn to associate food with people, and their homes and living
areas, can turn into nuisance bears that regularly forage in neighborhoods
looking for easy sources of food. The result is sometimes troubling
bear-human encounters.

It is illegal to intentionally feed black bears in New Jersey and punishable
by a fine of up to $1,000 per offense. But the more common problem is
unintentional bear feeding by homeowners who unknowingly make household
trash, pet foods and other food sources easily available for bears to find
and eat.

"Securing your trash and eliminating obvious sources of food for bears, such
as pet food left on decks, bird feeders or food residues left in barbecue
grills, is the best way to keep bears from being attracted to your home or
property," said David Chanda, director of the State Division of Fish and
Wildlife.

Bears have been sighted in all 21 New Jersey counties, and bear-human
encounters have occurred a bit more frequently in recent years in places
outside of traditional bear country, including more heavily populated
suburban areas of the state like Lawrence and Princeton.

DEP wildlife experts stress that a black bear passing through a residential
area should not be considered a problem, as long as it is behaving normally
and not posing a threat. They offer the following tips to minimize conflicts
with bears this spring:

• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, or in the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.
• Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.
• Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only and bring feeders indoors at night.
• Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure they are at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.
• Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue to minimize odors. Store grills securely.
• Do not place meat or any sweet foods in compost piles.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.
• Properly installed electric fencing is an effective way of protecting crops, beehives and livestock.
• If you encounter a bear remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.

Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife
Control Unit of the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793.
During evenings and weekends, residents should call their local police
department or the DEP Hotline at (877) WARN-DEP.

To learn more about New Jersey's black bears and ways to avoid problems with
them, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts_education.htm