Bear Sightings In Mendham: Here's What To Do

MENDHAM, 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 enter hibernation.

Bear sightings in and around Mendham have become common in recent weeks, with residents posting shots of the bears roaming neighborhoods and backyards on social media. In particular, a couple of bears have been spotted along Dean Road.

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.
• Do not approach bears. Especially feeding bears, which will aggressively defend their food.
• Do not run from bears. Running may trigger a chase response.
• Do not make direct eye contact. Bears may perceive this as a challenge.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not threatening behavior.
• Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.

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.

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

This year, state officials have logged 1,313 bear incidents — 270 sightings and 1,043 reports of damage and nuisance. Overall, this represents a 39.33 percent decrease from the same period last year.

Of the 1,313 bear incidents, 260 of them took place in Morris County, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said.

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.

Black bears learn very quickly and bears that are fed intentionally or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage will associate people with food. Bears will eat almost anything, including human food, garbage, pet food, birdseed and small livestock.

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