Bear Cubs in Winter and Spring

We have a few months before we are going to see any bear cubs wandering around New Jersey. But on another blog, I wrote about the February Full Moon as being the "Bear Cub Moon."

It may seem like some kind of magic to most people that a mother bear goes into a hole she dug in the ground in the fall and emerges in the spring with a couple of new, fuzzy, walking cubs. This magic trick is some very amazing biological engineering. 

The hidden-from-view birth of a bear cub is fascinating. Bears actually mate in the late spring or early summer, but the mother doesn’t technically become pregnant right away. Through a process called delayed implantation, the fertilized egg remains as a tiny ball of cells (a blastocyst) floating in her uterus for months. 

It only implants and begins to grow in the late fall, and only if the mother has gained enough weight. If she didn't eat enough berries or fish to survive the winter, her body would simply reabsorb the embryo, ensuring she doesn't try to raise cubs she can't support. 

Cubs are typically born in January or February, right in the heart of winter. While we call it hibernation, the mother isn't "dead to the world." She is in a state of light dormancy. She is alert enough to wake up, give birth, lick the cubs clean, and nudge them toward her belly to nurse. 

Because the cubs are so tiny, labor is relatively quick and much less physically taxing than it is for humans. 

Newborn cubs are incredibly primitive—often described as "fetal-like." They weigh less than a pound (about the size of a stick of butter or a teacup) and are born blind, nearly hairless, and totally helpless. 

newborn bear cub      nps.gov

Because they are so small, researchers often call the time in the den an "external pregnancy." Once the cub is born, it soon begins to nurse. A newborn cub’s physiology changes from one that couldn’t survive on fat in the womb to a system that can better metabolize fat. The mother provides all the nourishment that the cub needs, and the den offers warmth and protection. 

For the next several months, the den acts as a surrogate womb for the rapidly growing cub. Instead of growing inside the mother where they would drain her protein and mineral stores, they grow outside her body, fueled by her fat-rich milk.

Perhaps, the most amazing part is how they survive for months without a snack or a bathroom break: Mother bears produce milk that is incredibly high in fat (up to 30% fat), which allows the cubs to grow from less than 1 pound to about 5–10 pounds by spring. 

The mother bear does not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate for months. Her body is a closed loop; she recycles her own urea (waste) back into protein to maintain her muscle mass while she sleeps. 

The den acts as a giant incubator. The mother curls around the cubs, using her body heat to keep them at a steady temperature while the snow piles up outside.

The Bear Hunting Season in NJ

More black bear information this weekend...

Hunting black bears in New Jersey is controversial but has been deemed necessary by the state due to population growth. The fact is that there are more bears than the crowded states seem to be able to handle without nuisance, damaging and potentially dangerous human and pet encounters. But the fact is that there is a hunting season in our state for bears, and it opens this Monday, October 13.

This website is primarily focused on the threatened and endangered wildlife of our state, and also with some of its recreational aspects. Since wildlife interactions occur when we are out in nature, things like hunting and fishing do play a role in management and recreation.

Here are some points pro and con on a hunting season for black bears in New Jersey:

Pro-Hunting Season:

Population Management: Hunting can help control the bear population, reducing the risk of human-bear conflicts and maintaining a balance with the ecosystem.

Property Damage: Allowing hunting can help mitigate property damage caused by bears, such as crop damage, property destruction, and livestock losses.

Public Safety: Hunting can help reduce the number of bears in areas where humans and bears interact, potentially decreasing the risk of bear attacks on humans.

Wildlife Health: Hunting can help remove sick or weak bears from the population, promoting overall wildlife health.

Revenue: Hunting and fishing licenses and permits provide a major source of revenue to programs beyond hunting and fishing.

Anti-Hunting Season:

Conservation Concerns: Overhunting can threaten the long-term sustainability of the bear population, especially if numbers are already low or declining.

Ethical Concerns: Some people object to hunting for sport or recreation, particularly if they see bears as intelligent, social animals that deserve protection.

Human Safety Concerns: Hunting can increase the risk of accidents, including hunting-related injuries or fatalities, particularly if hunters mistake other animals or humans for bears.

Alternative Methods: Some argue that non-lethal methods, such as education, outreach, and wildlife management practices (e.g., securing trash and pet food), can effectively mitigate human-bear conflicts without hunting.

For more about this topic, see dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/bears/

2025 Black Bear Season Dates

Segment A 
October 13 – 18, 2025, Archery ONLY
October 16 – 18, 2025, Archery OR Muzzleloader (Muzzleloader rifle legal during the last three days of Segment A plus all of Segment B)

Segment B
December 8 – 13, 2025, Shotgun/Muzzleloader ONLY

Hunting Hours: Legal hunting hours for black bears shall be ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Season Changes: Following the start of the black bear season, the Assistant Commissioner of NJDEP Fish and Wildlife may announce closure of the entire season or extension of Segment B of the season based upon harvest data.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Fish and Wildlife Division, a total of 473 black bears were harvested during the 2024 hunting season in New Jersey.

By county, the harvest breakdown is as follows:
Sussex County: 238 bears
Warren County: 124 bears
Morris County: 73 bears
Passaic County: 26 bears
Bergen County: 3 bears
Hunterdon County: 7 bears
Somerset County: 1 bear
Mercer County: 0 bears

Black Bear Encounters All Year

What is the largest land mammal in New Jersey? It is the black bear. Continuing with our "black bears weekend" as we enter autumn weather...

There are myths about many species of wildlife in our state - bats, snakes, and bears included. For example, black bears (what you will encounter in New Jersey) are not true hibernators and may be active throughout the year. Many people assume that in winter, they won't see any bears. 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.

In autumn, many New Jerseyans and visitors will be camping, birding, hiking, hunting or fishing in areas frequented by black bears. The mere presence of a black bear is not considered a problem. In general, bears tend to be wary of people. 

Here are some guidelines for bear safety.

Wary as they may be, black bears learn very quickly. Bears that are fed intentionally or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage while camping, hiking or fishing will learn to associate people with food. Like birds at your feeder, once black bears learn of an easily accessible food source, like a cooler at a campground, they may lose their wariness of people and return to a location in search of more available food sources. These bears can become a nuisance or aggressive and may have to be trapped and relocated or destroyed. 

For more on staying safe in bear country, see Bear Encounters.

Bear Facts for Autumn

 

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife reminds the public to reduce the potential for encounters with black bears this fall by taking measures to properly store garbage and eliminate access to other sources of food around their yards or while outdoors. 

Autumn brings a period of heightened black bear activity as the animals must consume large amounts of food in preparation for the winter denning season.

“Black bears are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever food is available,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner David Golden. “They have a keen sense of smell and will investigate all potential food sources – natural or unnatural, including garbage. Property owners, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of unwanted encounters with bears by removing or properly securing any potential food sources.”

It is important for people to never feed black bears. Bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may then become nuisance bears that cause property damage, seek handouts from people or become dangerous. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000.

Most of New Jersey’s black bears are found in the northwestern portion of the state, particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren and northern Passaic counties, as well as portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bergen counties. However, black bears have been reported in all 21 counties.

Throughout the fall, black bears need to eat more than 20,000 calories worth of food a day to bolster their fat reserves in preparation for the winter denning season. Their natural diet is comprised of plants, berries, fruit, nuts, insects, bird eggs, small mammals, and carrion. However, black bears are opportunistic feeders with an extremely keen sense of smell and are attracted by odors from potential food sources created by people from long distances. Carefully controlling these sources of food, such as improperly stored trash, can help prevent black bears from being attracted to homes and into backyards and campgrounds, and associating people with food.

• Secure trash and eliminate obvious sources of food such as pet food bowls, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residue left on barbecue grills. 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.
• Do not place meat, dairy or any sweet foods in compost piles.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution and watch out for bears that may be near or on roadways. If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these safety tips:

• Remain calm. Easier said than done, but never run from a bear, as this may trigger its predatory instinct. Instead, slowly back away. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Make sure the bear has an escape route. 
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans, or blowing 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. 
• Make bears aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises. If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known through loud talking or clapping of hands. 
• If a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws or swats the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact. 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. This is usually non-threatening behavior. 
• Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, slowly back away, and do not run. 
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area, such as a vehicle or a building.

Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.

Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.

Report black bear damage or aggressive bears to your local police department or to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife by calling 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

Autumn Bear Encounters

When can you see a bear in new Jersey? Well, almost any time of the year, but the best chance to see an active bear is September, October and early November. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for winter.

The American black bear is native to New Jersey. Prior to European settlement black bears lived in forested regions throughout the state. As European settlement progressed, forests were cleared for towns, farming and lumber. Black bears were killed indiscriminately by settlers to protect their crops and livestock. Loss of habitat and indiscriminate killing caused the black bear population to sharply decline throughout the 1800s.

In 1953, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council classified the black bear as a game animal, affording it protection from indiscriminate killing. Limited hunting was legal for black bear until 1971 when the Council, based on an assessment by Fish and Wildlife biologists, closed the hunting season.

Fish and Wildlife biologists began conducting research on New Jersey’s black bears in 1980. Over the years, the Garden State’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. The population has grown due to increased black bear habitat as agricultural land reverted to mature forests, protection afforded by game animal status, and bears dispersing into New Jersey from increasing populations in Pennsylvania and New York. Additionally, the state’s black bears have some of the largest litters and highest reproductive rates in the nation. Today, black bears can be found throughout the state.

Black bears are not true hibernators and may be active all year long. 

During the winter, black bears enter a state of winter dormancy called torpor. While in the state of torpor their heart rate and respiratory rate slow and their body temperature slightly drops, but not as much as in true hibernators (such as those chipmunks and woodchucks in your backyard). They live off of their body fat, which is metabolized to produce the calories and water that they need to survive. They generally lose between eighteen percent (18%) and twenty percent (20%) of their body fat while in their dens and they are able to maintain their bone and muscle mass. While in torpor black bears are capable of being easily awakened if disturbed and they may leave their dens on mild winter days in search of food.

Black bears begin entering their winter dens in the fall to avoid periods of food shortage and severe weather. Impregnated females typically enter dens first, during the last week in October. Males may not enter dens until December. Den sites generally include ground nests, excavation sites, brush piles, hollow trees, rock cavities and sometimes beneath houses and other buildings. The den sites are typically small in size to retain body heat and ensure that black bears stay well insulated.

In Fiscal Year 2022, Fish and Wildlife enhanced and expanded nonlethal bear management strategies to reduce the number of human interactions with bears. DEP dedicated $1.5 million to hire additional conservation officers for bear management, to train local officials and to increase public education and outreach, among other enhancements.

More information at dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/ 

Autumn Means Bears Are On the Move

 

The fall season means New Jersey’s black bears are on the move foraging for food in preparation for the winter denning season. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife is reminding the public to adhere to guidelines for removing potential food sources and avoiding interactions with black bears.

It is critically important for people to never feed black bears. Bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may then become nuisance bears that cause property damage, seek handouts from people or become dangerous. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000.

The DEP offers the following tips for property owners to minimize conflicts with bears:

• Secure trash and eliminate obvious sources of food such as pet food bowls, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residue left on barbecue grills.
• 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 areas.
• 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. 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 install electric fencing as an effective way to protect crops, beehives and livestock.
• If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these safety tips:
• Remain calm. Never run from a bear, as this may trigger its predatory instinct. Instead, slowly back away. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans, or blowing an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close with your arms above your head.
• Make bears aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises. If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known through loud talking or clapping of hands.
• If a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws or swats the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact. 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. This is usually a non-threatening behavior.
• Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, slowly back away and do not run.
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area, such as a vehicle or a building.
• Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.

To report black bear damage & nuisance, call the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline:

1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)

For more information about black bears in New Jersey, visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/

Bears Preparing for Hibernation

 

The November Full Moon is called by some people the Deer Rutting Moon and you may have seen signs or news stories about being extra careful driving during this time. Though deer are very much a part of rural and suburban life in New Jersey, increasingly so are black bears.

On June 21, 2021, New Jersey's Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) expired, and as such, there is no black bear hunt in 2021. In accordance with the Supreme Court ruling on September 27, 2007, no black bear hunt may occur without a properly-promulgated CBBMP proposed by the New Jersey Fish and Game Council and approved by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

This time of year is also the time when black bears in our state are feeding at an intense rate in preparation for hibernation. In many areas of our state, food in garbage cans is the easiest source for bears. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in the state and can result in fines up to $1000. But unintentional feeding by leaving out food waste in containers that bears can easily access can lead to unintended encounters with humans and property damage. 

You should report nuisance or aggressive bears and damage to local police, and the state's Wildlife Control Unit 908-735-8793 or the 24-hour DEP Hotline 1-877-927-6337

Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. Since the 1980s, our 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.

The American black bear is native to New Jersey. Prior to European settlement, black bears lived in forested regions throughout the state, but as towns grew, loss of habitat and indiscriminate killing caused the black bear population to sharply decline throughout the 1800s. In 1953, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council classified the black bear as a game animal, affording it protection from indiscriminate killing. 

Today, bear management includes research, monitoring, non-lethal and lethal control of problem bears, public education on how to coexist with bears, enforcement of laws designed to reduce bear-related conflicts, and bear population control.

Attacks on humans by black bears are rare, especially in NJ, but they do occur throughout black bear habitat in North America. In September 2014, a fatal predatory black bear attack occurred in West Milford, Passaic County, resulting in the death of a 22-year old male. It is the first documented bear fatality in New Jersey's history.

New Jersey Bear Facts

Wildlife Sightings and Identification

A mountain lion (cougar) not in NJ but in Illinois. 
It's a big cat and you would probably know one if you saw it nearby.

One of the most frequent comments and emails I get here is about sighting wildlife and about identifying wildlife. Occasionally, it will be a bird or invertebrate, but more often it is something more exotic - a mammal that lives in NJ or one that, as far as we can confirm, does not live in our state.

With the weather warming and COVID restrictions lifting, I have had a flurry of comments and emails of this type. I try to respond to all of them. I make no claims to expertise. I'm not a biologist, just a longtime volunteer in environmental programs for the state and other groups.

Our post "Is That a Mountain Lion I See Wandering New Jersey?" has gotten a lot of attention and comments from people who maintain that they have seen a mountain lion in New Jersey. We still have no confirmation of any in our borders. Unfortunately, reports such as the two below that came in recently, are almost never accompanied with any photo evidence of the animal, tracks, scat etc. 

I have seen 3 in the 20 years of living in Newfoundland, NJ. Two were in my yard which borders Watershed property and one on route 23 at the Oakridge Rd intersection. They are here!

and

Mountain lions are ambush predators. You don’t just look outside and see them. They are most definitely here in north jersey as I have seen a handful over the course of years.

On the "Otters in New Jersey" someone said, "Yeah I saw like four or five otters one time, in Holland township NJ, in a small stream while I was fishing."  That is certainly possible. But I have also had people send photos of muskrats and others and say it was an otter, fisher or even a beaver. Those animals don't really look the same but they are similar and going in or out of the water quickly might be tough to identify on the run. 

I also got an email with some snow photos that I'll assume were taken either some months ago or perhaps not even in NJ.

The email said"

Just stumbled across your site and thought maybe you can help me. After a snow this year I went for a walk in the words near my home and came across these fresh tracks. Scary looking! Any idea what these could be from? I certainly don’t want to be alone with whatever made them I don’t think! But would really like to know.

Knowing the location and date would be very helpful but it was good that the person included a hand to give a sense of size.

* A follow-up email told me that the tracks were in Sterling Forest right at the border of NY/NJ in January after a big snowfall right around Ringwood Manor in northern NJ. 

Tracks in the snow are notoriously difficult to identify unless they are very fresh. Melting and wind can change track. The writer sounds a bit frightened by the size of these tracks. Maybe they are thinking "bear."

I had several people look at the tracks and they pointed out that a smaller animal can leave big tracks in the snow because of dragging their legs, hopping, running, or even from a tail. Two people said they thought this might be a rabbit, which is probably disappointing to the email writer. Sometimes the front and rear feet will land in almost the same place and make a "large" track (true for rabbits). 

Here are two sets of bear tracks.

These are some very clear tracks showing five toes/claws. Easy to identify.

In this late in the day photo, tracks that are known to be a bear almost appear
to be human prints as the details have become lost.

It would probably surprise many people that New Jersey has a robust black bear population. We estimate there are about 3400 bears in the northwestern part of the State and bear sightings have been officially reported in all 21 counties.

Look at this strange set of tracks.

photo: animaltrackersofnewengland.blogspot.com

This rather artistic-looking set of tracks is identified by another blogger as
the trail of a bobcat dragging a rabbit.

So who left those tracks in the two photos emailed to me? I honestly cannot make a positive identification. Perhaps, a reader will add a thought. And it's entirely possible that someone will think it's a mountain lion, the Jersey Devil, or Bigfoot.

State Lands Closed to Bear Hunting

The 2018-19 Hunting and Trapping Digest is now available at license agents and online. A notation about the Executive Order No. 34 closing state lands (parks, forests, WMAs) to bear hunting has been added to the online PDF version of the Digest but does not appear in the print version.

Bear permits for non-state lands, along with deer and fall turkey permits, go on sale at license agents and online on Monday, September 10 at 10am.

The question of how the most densely populated state in the country should manage a growing bear population has bedeviled a number of New Jersey governors.  This month,
On Monday, Gov. Philip Murphy took on the issue by signing an executive order effectively ending the state’s planned 2018 bear hunt on all state-owned lands.

Murphy had made a campaign pledge to environmental activists to ban the hunts. But now, the environmental activists and the hunters are both less than satisfied.

Environmentalists say that stopping the hunt on state lands does not stop the hunt, but only changes where the bears get killed. Hunting will continue on other public lands, including county parks, water company lands and private lands.

Hunters point to the many studies and practices in other states that maintain that hunting is the most effective means of wildlife management of bears, deer and other species that are not threatened or endangered.

NJ Bear Hunt Extended 4 Days

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife today announced that the December portion of the bear hunt will be extended by four days per state regulations to achieve harvest objectives that protect public safety and maintain a sustainable bear population.

The next phase of Segment B will begin a half-hour prior to sunrise on Wednesday, Dec. 13 and will continue until a half-hour after sunset on Saturday, Dec. 16.

The state’s bear hunting season is broken down into two segments. A total of 21 previously tagged bears have been brought into check stations during the two segments in October and December. The cumulative tagged bear harvest rate for both segments is 15.6 percent of the 135 tagged bears for this year.

The regulations require an extension of up to four days should a minimum 20 percent tagged bear harvest goal not be reached by the scheduled close of the December season. Since the cumulative rate did not reach 20 percent by the end of Saturday December 9, the December season must be extended.

The state’s bear hunting regulations call for the closure of the season once the cumulative rate of tagged bear brought to check stations for the October season (Segment A) and/or the December season (Segment B) reaches 30 percent.

Full press release at nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0117.htm

To Hunt or Not to Hunt Bears in New Jersey

Politics is my least favorite part of writing about the environment, but unfortunately it plays a bigger role than I would like in environmental protection. On a national level, President Trump's cabinet appointments for the DEP and Energy have ignited plenty of opinions on both sides.

In our own state, animal-rights groups such as Bear Education and Resource (BEAR) are now lobbying for “Pedal’s Law,” after it was initially rejected by the state Senate. BEAR is a program of Animal Protection League of New Jersey (APLNJ).

The law was proposed by Senator Raymond Lesniak in response to the death of social-media-famous “Pedals” the bear, who was legally harvested/killed this past October by a bow hunter. If the bill is passed, it would effectively ban bear hunting in New Jersey for five years, while implementing a nonlethal bear management program.

Pedals was an injured docile bi-pedal (walking on 2 legs) New Jersey black bear who gained popular attention. Pedals' death touched people in the same way that the 2015 killing of Cecil the lion in Africa by an American hunter sparked an international outcry and greater scrutiny of trophy hunting.

Is bear hunting in NJ trophy hunting? Those opposed to a bear hunt say it absolutely is that. In 2015, the state expanded the bear hunt to include killing more than one bear, raised the number of bear hunting permits to 11,000, added more regions, added a new season in October, added bows, and increased the hunt up to 10 days in December.

But on the pro-hunt side, the answer is not considered so simple. In an opinion piece by Mike Adams, he says in talking about about this legislation that "The presumable notion is that after that five years is up, new legislation will move in and ban in New Jersey bear hunting for good."

That is a possibility, but I think that after five years there is also a good chance that the number of nuisance or more serious incidents with bears and humans may have increased to a level that the 5-year ban will convince many more people that a hunt is necessary.

I have been a volunteer in the state's Wildlife Conservation Corps since the 1970s. The people I have met as volunteers include hunters, fisherman and environmental activists, so opinions differ on many issues concerning how we should treat species in the state.

I have spent most of my years focused on the endangered, threatened and non-game species of New Jersey. No one argues against protecting bald eagles, but when it comes to game species, like deer and bears, it is more difficult to get consensus.  

Those opposed to hunting will argue that hunters and the NJDEP are only interested in game species protection and management in order to provide a population to hunt and to sell permits and licenses. They support non-lethal methods such as artificial sterilization and relocation of transient bears.

Those on the other side will show evidence that these methods are ineffectual and expensive and that only controlled hunting can reduce populations.

In 2016, there were 1,400 accounts of nuisance bears in NJ, which are reported as incidents that include property damage, home entry, livestock kills, and attacks on humans. This number is actually relatively low compared to the earlier years without a bear season. Adams and others point out that in 2004, a year after New Jersey opened its first bear hunt, reports of nuisance encounters dropped by 42 percent.

New Jersey already has a Bear Response Unit for trapping and relocating nuisance bears. A 2009 study cited by Adams that was conducted by East Stroudsburg University researchers in conjunction with Union County College and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, found that all the bears trapped and relocated into the wild by the response unit return to urban areas within 17 days of their release. When this happens, the response team is forced to euthanize the reoccurring nuisance bears.

These differing opinions on how to deal with bears in NJ are not new, and a report back in 2005 on the "Correlation of reduction in nuisance black bear complaints with implementation of (a) a hunt vs. (b) a non-violent program" showed that the state was considering both hunting and non-violent solutions to nuisance bear problems.

Bear Smart New Jersey is a public service program of the Bear Education And Resource program intended to protect black bears and their habitat in the state. They reach out to the community to educate residents about bears. They hope to foster a peaceful coexistence with bears and humans.

They have three main methods for their program. First, to have homeowners and businesses contain attractants like garbage and other unnatural food sources that draw bears into places with people. Second, to implement "aversive conditioning", a behavior modification technique used across the country to teach bears that they are not welcome in an area and to reinstill the bears’ natural fear of humans. Of course, the biggest objective, as with almost all environmental protection programs, is to educate the public.

I'm not optimistic that these two differing sides on the bear hunt will come to any agreement or consensus. It is difficult to show one approach to be better when both are in place concurrently. Unfortunately, as our human encroachment on habitats increases and populations of wildlife increase, our interactions with wildlife will also increase. The current controversy with bears and deer is likely to expand to species like coyotes and others in the future. The bobcat may be protected now, but if their numbers increase and their nuisance interactions with humans and their pets increase, we can expect similar controversies to emerge.

Weeklong Bear Hunt Begins Monday in North Jersey

The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced the state’s weeklong black bear hunting season will begin at sunrise on Monday morning and continue through sunset on Saturday, December 14 in portions of six North Jersey counties. The season runs concurrently with the six-day firearm deer hunting season.

DEP biologists anticipate the outcome of this year’s hunt to be similar to 2012, when 287 bears were harvested in hunting zones in Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties, plus a very small area of western Bergen County.

“We are prepared for another safe and professionally managed black bear hunt, which is just one component of the state’s comprehensive efforts to manage the bear population,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “Our goal is to reduce the number of black bears, to a sustainable number, while improving public safety by reducing bear encounters with people”

In addition to hunting, the state’s comprehensive policy includes a common sense mix of bear management tools, including public education, research, bear-habitat analysis and protection and non-lethal bear management techniques, and a bear feeding ban, all geared towards reducing bear-human encounters. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has partnered with Untamed Science to offer New Jersey teachers and students black bear education materials via on a new bear education website (http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts_curriculum.htm).

The early results of DEP’s comprehensive approach, which was established in 2010 by the state’s Fish and Game Council, show a reduction in the estimated number of black bears living in North Jersey and a continuing decline in bear-human incidents. North Jersey has a robust black bear population, with scientifically calculated and conservative estimates showing some 2,500 to 2,800 black bears living in the hunting area north of Route 78 and west of Route 287. That is down from an estimated 3,400 bears in 2010.

Reported black bear sightings in North Jersey this year are down 21 percent, damage and nuisance complaints are down 20 percent, and Category One calls (dangerous bear incidents) are down by 3 percent, to slightly more than 100, through the end of October, compared to the same period in 2012. That follows marked declines in 2012 when reported bear sightings dropped 34 percent, damage and nuisance complaints declined 26 percent, and Category One calls fell off by 43 percent.

Black bears have been observed in all 21 counties in New Jersey, but the number of bears living outside of the northwestern portion of the state remains low, with no population data available.

Black bear hunting is taking place this week in portions of a 1,000-square-mile area north of Route 78 and West of Route 287. It is complemented by black bear hunts that occur each autumn in neighboring Pennsylvania and New York State, where 3,632 and 1,337 bears were harvested in 2012. Bears living in the North Jersey also traverse parts of neighboring states.

Nearly 7,000 hunters have obtained bear hunting permits for the upcoming New Jersey hunt, with a maximum of 10,000 permits to be allocated.

For information on New Jersey’s 2013 black bear hunt, including bear permit availability, and information on the 2010, 2011 and 2012 bear harvest results, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearseason_info.htm

Information on the numbers of bears accumulated will be posted on line at http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearseason_info.htm on Monday evening, as soon as possible after the 7:00 p.m. closing of the five check stations. On subsequent days, postings will occur by 8:00 a.m. the next morning.

SOURCE: http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2013/13_0110.htm

More Suburban Black Bear Sightings

Two female black bear cubs that are safe to observe up close
in the new Black Bear Exhibit at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.

In the past week there were black bears spotted in Livingston and Cedar Grove in Essex County. It's an active time for them even at the edges of suburbia.

Of course, as curious as we are about them, you are cautioned to stay clear bears even though they are generally not aggressive and have moved through towns without incident. Never feed or approach a bear! Still, it is worth reposting some safety tips.

• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open. Even in outdoor spaces, make sure the bear has an escape route.
• Avoid direct eye contact.
• 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 a 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.
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
• Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.

2012 New Jersey Bear Hunt Begins December 3

Tomorrow, December 3, is the start of New Jersey’s always controversial six-day black bear hunt for 2012 that is part of the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s “Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy.” This will be the third annual hunt which is part of a five-year plan.

Once again, along with the hunters will be protesters. Protests against the bear hunt are scheduled for 10 am on Monday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec 8, at the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area, in Fredon, NJ. (see www.savenjbears.com)

While the state sees the hunt as “managing” the bear population, protesters see it as simply "killing." The protests will not stop this year's hunt, but those against the hunt are hoping to affect future hunts.

Most New Jerseyeans do not hunt, so there are large numbers of people who oppose the hunt. But NJ's black bears are not "endangered" as a population. The estimate of bears living in the northwestern part of the state is now 2,800 to 3,000. That is down from the 3,400 estimated in 2010. That was the year that NJ adopted its comprehensive bear management policy to decrease the number of animals.

Though black bears historically existed in the state, they were considered to be nonexistent within the state by the 1970s. It is likely that they "reintroduced" themselves to NJ by crossing parts of the Delaware River from Pennsylvania into the rural northwestern part of the state.

Pennsylvania's statewide bear hunting season ended yesterday, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. By day three of the four-day hunt, 2442 bears were harvested throughout the state.

This hunt is different from the typical hunting season such as those for deer in NJ. (The New Jersey black bear hunting season is held concurrently with the Six-day Firearm Deer Season.) The bear population has been scouted, targeted and even baited prior to the hunt. Baiting, which is done with vegetables, carcasses, honey and other sweets, lures bears. In NJ, an elevated hunting stand must be at least 300 feet from the bait, but The Humane Society of the US reported in 2009 that bear baiting is banned in 18 of the 28 states that allow bear hunting.

Last year's hunted had a reported harvest of 469 bears.

On the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife(DFW) side of this controversy is their own evidence that non-lethal means of bear management (birth control and the 2002 bear feeding law, for example) have been ineffective ways to manage the population.

But for non-hunters, it is difficult to look away from the hunt, especially when it allows the killing of any sex or size black bear, including cubs.

The six-day bear hunt focuses on the northwestern part of the state and, because the number of bears is down, it is expected that the number of hunters and kills will also be down this year.

The Star-Ledger reports that this year there are no last-minute legal actions to block the hunt and that animal-rights protesters were still fighting in court last week to have the right to demonstrate near the various bear weigh-in check stations.

The bear population is down after the past two consecutive hunts and the number of complaints about problem bears is also down. Does this mean the hunt has been a "success?"

The New Jersey plan has been that the decline in the bear population will make encounters between humans and bears rare, and that at the end of the five-year period, the DFW will decide its next management steps, which includes the fate of the bear hunt.

The controversy continues...

• Earlier posts on hunts and information on black bears in NJ
• NJ Fish, Game & Wildlife bear page  www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm
• Bear-proofing www.bearsmartnj.org
• Bear-activism www.savenjbears.com

Jersey Black Bears Are Active in Autumn

New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection is advising residents and outdoor enthusiasts in New Jersey’s “bear country’’ that black bears are preparing for winter and are now actively foraging for food as they prepare for the denning season.

“Black bears are preparing to den up for the winter season and need to consume large amounts of food in the fall,” said David Chanda, Director of the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. “If you live in areas frequented by bears, try to ensure they will not find food near your homes, as bears will naturally take advantage of easy meals by searching through unsecured garbage cans and dumpsters, or raiding bird feeders.’’

The DEP urges residents to strictly adhere to guidelines for eliminating or securing potential black bear food sources to reduce potential problem encounters with bears this fall, said Commissioner Bob Marti.

Feeding bears either deliberately or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage can have serious consequences. Bears that learn to associate food with people readily become a nuisance and are more likely to damage property or exhibit aggression, which may lead to the bear’s destruction in order to protect the public.

“Property owners, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of attracting bears if they diligently bear-proof residences and camps by removing or properly securing any potential bear food,” said Chanda. “It is also critically important for people to never feed black bears. Feeding bears is dangerous, illegal, and may result in bears becoming aggressive.”

Most of New Jersey's black bears live in the northwest portion of the state, particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren and northern Passaic counties, and portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bergen counties. However, as the bear population in New Jersey has grown in recent years, black bears have been sighted in all 21 counties, and bear-human encounters have occurred more frequently in places outside of traditional bear country, including more heavily populated suburban areas of the state.

To deal with this issue, a New Jersey Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy was developed by the state’s Fish and Game Council and approved by Commissioner Martin. That policy emphasizes managing black bears through research and monitoring, non-lethal and lethal control of problem bears, public education on co-existing with bears—including trash management, and includes an annual controlled hunt.

Reducing conflicts with bears is a community effort. It only takes several households with unsecured food to create a nuisance bear that could affect an entire neighborhood.

These simple rules for living in bear country will help minimize conflicts with black bears:

• Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. If not using bear-proof garbage containers, store all garbage in containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed.
• Use electric fencing to protect livestock and beehives.
• Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before.
• Wash garbage containers with a disinfectant at least once a week to eliminate odors. Draping ammonia or bleach soaked cloth over containers will help to eliminate odors.
• Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles.
• Feed birds only from December 1 to April 1, when bears are least active.
• If you feed birds when bears are active, suspend birdfeeders at least 10 feet off the ground.
• Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding.
• Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears.
• Do not leave food unattended while camping or picnicking.
• Store all food items in coolers inside vehicles where they cannot be seen or in bear-proof food storage lockers at State Park facilities.
• Never feed a black bear. It is dangerous and against the law.

Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to your local police department or to the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (877) 927-6337.

To learn more about New Jersey's black bears, visit njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts.htm
NJ's Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, visit nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm

Are You in North Jersey Bear Country'?

The NJ DEP is advising residents and outdoor enthusiasts in North Jersey, especially in areas regularly frequented by black bears, to strictly adhere to guidelines for eliminating or securing potential black bear food sources during the fall period when bears feed extensively to build fat layers for hibernation.

Black bears may be especially on the hunt this season for high calorie foods, such as food scraps in household trash and bird seed from outdoor bird feeders, due to localized scarcities of acorns and other tree nuts, which are an important black bear food source known as ''mast.'' Mast production, especially the acorn crop, is typically cyclical, and this year's scarcity follows two very plentiful mast years. Factors such as gypsy moth infestation, spring frost, excessive spring rain and humidity influence the natural mast production cycle.

In low mast years, such as this year, bears are more likely to exploit alternative foods, such as human trash and bird seed, to provide the calories they need to prepare for winter. Homes and campgrounds become prime potential food sources for black bears when natural foods are in short supply.

The black bear population has stabilized this year in Northwest Jersey as a result of the State Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, which includes a mix of education, research, hunting, and non-lethal techniques. The result has been a decrease in bear-human incidents compared to 2010. But the mast shortage will increase the potential for bear-human conflicts this fall as bears may become bolder and more persistent in searching for food near homes and campgrounds.

"Residents, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of attracting bears if they are aware of all potential food sources for bears and diligently bear-proof residences and camps by removing or properly securing any potential bear food," said David Chanda, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The bear hunt is just one facet of the State's Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, which also includes public education, research, bear habitat analysis and protection, non-lethal bear management techniques, enforcement of laws, and efforts to keep human food sources, especially household trash, away from bears to limit bear-human encounters.

New Jersey residents and visitors should be aware that feeding or intentionally providing food for black bears is against the law. Violators could face a penalty of up to a $1,000 for each offense. Conservation Officers and State Park Police, along with local police departments, will be on the lookout for incidents where food is intentionally provided for black bears.

These simple rules for living in black bear country--particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, northern Passaic, northern Somerset and western Bergen counties --will help minimize conflicts with black bears:

Reducing conflicts with bears is a community effort. It only takes several households with unsecured food for bears to create a nuisance bear that could affect an entire neighborhood.

• Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. If not using bear-proof garbage containers, store all garbage in containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed.
• Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before.
• Wash garbage containers with a disinfectant at least once a week to eliminate odors. Draping ammonia or bleach soaked cloth over containers will help to eliminate odors.
• Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles.
• Feed birds only from December 1 to April 1, when bears are least active.
• When feeding birds when bears are active, suspend birdfeeders at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding.
• Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears.
• Do not leave food unattended while camping or picnicking.
• Store all food items in coolers inside vehicles where they can not be seen or in bear-proof food storage lockers at State Park facilities
• Never feed a black bear. It is dangerous and against the law.
• Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to your local police department or to the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (877) 927-6337.

To learn more about New Jersey's black bears, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm

To read the State's Comprehensive Black Bear management Policy, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm

SOURCE:  NJDEP - News Release 11/P117 - Residents in North Jersey 'Bear Country' Urged to Secure Trash and Other Residential Food Sources:

NJ Bears Have Emerged From Winter Dens

The NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection has announced that black bears have exited their winter dens throughout New Jersey and are entering their most active period of the year as they search for food and mates, making encounters with people more likely.

To reduce the risk of such encounters, State residents - especially those living in "bear country'' in Northwest Jersey - are urged to take some simple precautions.

DEP wildlife experts are offering 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, 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 prior night.
• 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.

Wildlife experts also offer the following information:

• 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.
• 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.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare. Should a black bear attack, fight back. Do not play dead.

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 view the DEP news release concerning this issue visit
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2011/11_0055.htm
To learn more about New Jersey's black bears and ways to avoid problems with them, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearinfo.htm

Final Bear Hunt Count Is 589

via nydailynews.com

New Jersey wildlife officials said that 589 bears were killed during the state's six-day hunt this past week which was the first since 2005.

An appeals court refused to halt the hunt earlier this month. A lawsuit, which challenges the NJ bear management policy continues.

For the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, this hunt is important to bear management in order to prevent excessive human interactions. But, on the opposite side, were opponents. The Animal Protection League and Bear Education and Resource Group both tried unsuccessfully to stop the hunt before it even started. The group consider the bear to be sport and trophy hunting and not a proper management policy.

There were 6,680 bear hunting permits issued for this year's hunt. Each hunter could bag one bear (regardless of age or gender).

New Jersey's growing black bear population is estimated at about 3400.

The NJDEP had originally estimated a total of 500-700 would be killed.

NJ's Bear Hunt Count Already at 441

According to a report on nbcnewyork.com/news/, New Jersey's black bear hunt (December 6-11 - the first in five years) which runs through Saturday, has already recorded 441 bears taken.

This is a record, but the state has an expected harvest of 500 to 700 for the week.

There have been protests by bear advocates every day of the hunt in the hope of shortening the length of the hunt or limit the bears taken.