With black bear sightings in Bergen County likely to increase during the fall of 2024, it’s crucial to know how to stay safe. Whether you’re hiking at Ramapo Reservation or simply enjoying your backyard, understanding what to do if you encounter a bear can make all the difference. This guide offers essential tips on safely navigating bear encounters and what steps you should take to protect yourself and your community. Stay informed and prepared with expert advice tailored for Bergen County residents.
Increased Bear Sighting in Bergen County
Recently, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has reported a notable increase in bear sightings, nuisance, and damage in Bergen County, New Jersey. According to the latest findings, the number of incidents reported to the NJDEP has doubled between April 20 and May 21, 2024, compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
This notable surge in Bergen County bear encounters, incidents and complaints has raised concerns among some residents and outdoor enthusiasts, prompting a need for increased awareness and preparedness when it comes to potential bear encounters.
As black bears are a common sight in many parts of New Jersey, it is important for individuals to be well-informed about the appropriate actions to take if they should come across these majestic yet powerful creatures. Understanding how to safely and responsibly coexist with black bears is crucial for both human and bear safety.
Bear safety in North Jersey and what to do if you encounter a bear: According to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey has a black bear population estimated at more than 3,000, mainly in the northwestern part of the State.
New Jersey has experienced a significant increase in the human population over the past decade. With New Jersey’s black bear and human populations rising, encounters are more likely to occur. From foraging in trash cans to wandering onto residential streets, backyards, parks, and golf courses, bear-human encounters are becoming more common in New Jersey. This presents a potential safety threat to people and can have fatal results for bears.
In recent years, bear sightings have been reported throughout New Jersey, including many suburban towns and even urban areas. A bear attack was reported a few years ago in Sussex County, which resulted in a woman being bitten and scratched by a black bear and a pet dog being dragged into the woods and ultimately killed, presumably by the same bear.
Encounters with black bears in Bergen County have increased over the past several years. In fact, in recent years, bears have been spotted in relatively populous sections of Bergen County, including Bogota, Teaneck, Paramus, and New Milford. Whether during a Ramapo Reservation trail walk or while enjoying a backyard cookout, everyone seems to have their own nerve-racking bear story or knows someone who has experienced a too-close-for-comfort encounter with a bear.
Black Bears Are Dangerous
Actual black bear attacks on people are rare, but they can happen. In 2014, a Rutgers University student died after being attacked by a black bear while hiking in West Milford. This was the first deadly black bear attack reported in New Jersey in 150 years. According to the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, black bears rarely attack when confronted by humans. They typically limit themselves to making mock charges, emitting blowing noises, and swatting the ground with their forepaws. However, never assume you are safe and take precautions to avoid black bears.
Should a black bear attack, victims have a better chance of surviving by fighting back, according to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Female black bears do not display the same protectiveness to their cubs as other bears and will seldom attack humans in their vicinity. Most black bear attacks in the United States occur in forested parks, usually near campgrounds, where bears become habituated to human contact and food sources.
Do Black Bears in NJ Hibernate?
Don’t be too surprised if you spot a black bear ambling about during the winter months. So do black bears hibernate? Not exactly.
According to black bear biology and behavior information provided by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, black bears in New Jersey typically enter a state of winter dormancy called torpor which is different from true hibernation. While in this State, a bear’s heart and respiratory rate slow, and the body temperature drops. Black bears in New Jersey will begin entering dens in the fall. Impregnated females typically enter dens in late October. Males may enter dens as late as December. Black bear dens come in many different forms and settings, including ground nests, hollow trees, rock cavities, and even nestled beneath houses and other buildings. Black bears in New Jersey may leave their dens searching for food on mild winter days.
What to Do if You Encounter a Black Bear
Black bears are generally cautious of humans and tend to avoid them. However, there were instances of aggressive bear behavior at Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah, New Jersey, that led to the closure of the area for an extended period about a decade ago.
If you encounter a black bear, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that you follow the following safety tips:
• Avoid direct eye contact, which a bear may perceive as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans, or using an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw 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. This can be very frightening for humans but do your best to stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
• Immediately notify the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)
• Families living in areas with high black bear populations such as Mahwah, Oakland, Ringwood, or Wayne should have a “Bear Plan” for children with whistles, air horns, and an escape route.
• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
• If a black bear does attack, fight back.
• Never feed or approach a bear.
• Try to remain calm.
• Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking assertively, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route.
Black bears have the potential to be dangerous if they feel threatened or provoked. It’s important to give them space and avoid surprising them. If you encounter a black bear, it’s best to make noise and slowly back away.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Division of Parks and Forestry provide helpful information about black bears and living or visiting “Bear Country” in New Jersey. The convenient Be Bear Aware two-page fact sheet provides advice and safety tips for hiking, fishing, and camping in Bear Country and helpful tips on avoiding bears and staying safe if you live in Bear Country.
More info about bear safety in North Jersey.
Read about coyotes in Bergen County.
