Tips On Avoiding Conflicts With Bears This Summer

They’re here, and so are we. In order to live in harmony, we need to compromise on a few things.

And so goes living in communities that make up Morris County, with residents living among a noticeable bear population.

On Monday, on behalf of Morris County Administrator John Bonanni, the county government released information on how to best deal with bears if facing one in the wild. Bear sightings in the county are not a new occurrence, but the bruins have certainly made themselves known in recent weeks, including a scrap with a group of dogs owned by a Long Valley family, and one bear who went for a jog down a Morristown Road over the Independence Day weekend.

In conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, the county offers “common sense tips to minimize conflicts with bears” during the summer months.

They include:

• Secure your trash and eliminate obvious sources of food, such as pet food on decks, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residues left in 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.
• 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.
• Install electric fencing as an effective way to protect crops, beehives and livestock.

Also, the county says, if you encounter a bear that is standing its ground, remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route and avoid direct eye contact. Then, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.

To report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears, call the Wildlife Control Unit of the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793 or their local police department.