More Black Bears Spotted; Tips To Keep Them Away

Morris Township Police reported last week that black bears were spotted in the area. Last Friday morning, two black bears were seen crossing Columbia Road.

Monday morning, a Patch reader sent in a photo of a bear spotted on his property. In the photo, the bear is on the deer fence gate of a home on Washington Valley in Morristown near The Seeing Eye.

Police say that this is normal because the bears are migrating toward the Great Swamp for food this time of the year. Residents should secure their garages to avoid any unwanted confrontation with the bears, police said. 

Police added that bears are generally afraid of humans and travel to this area quite frequently. Because of this, you do not need to call the police when you see a bear, unless it becomes aggressive toward humans or domestic animals or causes property damage.

On the Morristown town website, the town posted a link to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to give residents more information about bears. 

"The Christie Administration's Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan, aimed at reducing bear-human encounters through a mix of education, research and monitoring, trash management and an annual bear hunt, is proving to be effective. Black bear sighting and incidents, which dropped last year, are down substantially again this year,'' said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 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."

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.

The site says that "the most common bear problem New Jersey's residents experience is black bears getting into their garbage. Bears are attracted to neighborhoods by garbage odors, so properly securing your garbage is one of the best ways to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance in your community."

Here are some quick facts from that website:

• Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. They are an integral part of the state's natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems.
• Since the 1980s the Garden State's black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range both southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. 
• Within the most densely populated state in the nation, black bears are thriving and there are now confirmed bear sightings in all 21 of New Jersey's counties.

Tips to Avoid Attracting Bears:

• 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. 

Have you seen a bear in your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments section or send a photo to Kim@Patch.com.