Morris County Residents Advised to Safeguard Against Black Bears this Fall: What You Need To Know

State Department highlights precautions as bears enter crucial feeding phase; northwest regions of the State hold the highest concentration of Black Bears.

In a recent advisory, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife has urged property owners and outdoor adventurers across the state, especially in Morris County, to adopt measures to manage trash and other potential food sources to reduce encounters with black bears. As winter approaches, black bears have entered a phase of heightened feeding activity, gearing up for the denning season.

"Whether you live in or visit areas frequented by bears, it is very important to prevent them from associating people with possible food sources, such as trash that is not properly secured at home or poorly stored food at campsites,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. “Bears will naturally take advantage of easy meals and become habituated to an area, causing them to seek handouts or even become aggressive and become a problem for you and others.”

The majority of New Jersey's black bear population resides in the northwestern regions of the state, notably Morris, Sussex, Warren, and northern Passaic counties. However, sightings have been reported throughout all 21 counties.

During autumn, black bears intensify feeding to build up fat reserves for hibernation. Their diet, primarily consisting of plants, berries, and small mammals, can be influenced by the presence of trash, an unnatural source of food for them.

Due to their acute olfactory abilities, black bears can detect food odors from up to two miles away. The advisory further warned that intentionally feeding these animals is illegal in the state, leading to fines of up to $1,000.

The department provided several recommendations for homeowners to minimize potential confrontations with bears:

Ensure trash is secure, and avoid leaving out pet food or barbecue residues.
If possible, use bear-resistant garbage containers and store them in secure areas.
Refrain from feeding birds during bear-active periods.
Clean outdoor grills and avoid placing meat or sweet foods in compost piles.
Remove fallen fruits or nuts from yards promptly.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the tips include maintaining clean campsites, not storing food or scented items in tents, and properly disposing of garbage. Additionally, while hiking or fishing, making regular noise can alert bears to human presence, reducing surprise encounters.

In the rare event of coming face-to-face with a black bear, the guidelines suggest remaining calm, avoiding direct eye contact, and slowly retreating without turning your back. If threatened, making oneself appear larger and making loud noises can deter the bear. Residents in bear-prone zones are advised to establish a "Bear Plan" for their families.

The DEP has been proactive in its commitment to non-lethal bear management strategies. As part of this initiative, a pilot program offering bear-resistant trash containers for a select number of residents is underway. Furthermore, on September 21, ten communities from the northwestern region participated in a roundtable to discuss the design and implementation of this program.

In sync with these efforts, the DEP has rolled out the “Know the Bear Facts” campaign to educate the public.

"NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s ongoing Know the Bear Facts outreach campaign has already garnered nearly 20 million impressions on various platforms such as radio, social media and digital television,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Black Bear Outreach Coordinator Michelle Smith. “We also offer communities resources for coexisting with black bears, including free bear safety seminars for schools and civic groups."

For any bear-related incidents or emergencies, residents are advised to contact local authorities or call the DEP hotline at 877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337).