Essex County Bear Sightings Map (And How To Avoid Them)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The black bear is New Jersey’s largest land animal. They are an integral part of the state’s natural heritage and a vital part of a healthy ecosystem. But they’re also creatures that are best admired at a distance, state officials say.

As spring arrives and black bears begin to emerge from their winter dens in search of food and mates, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recently released a list of tips for property owners and outdoors enthusiasts who want to avoid a potentially dangerous encounter.

“Bears have an acute sense of smell, and can detect scents more than two miles away,” the NJ DEP stated. “The most common problem property owners experience is black bears getting into garbage. Another common problem is unintentional bear feeding by homeowners, who unwittingly make household trash, pet foods and other food sources easily available for bears to find and eat.”

DEP wildlife experts stress that a black bear simply passing through an area and not causing a specific problem, such as breaking into trash or otherwise trying to access food sources on peoples’ properties or posing a safety threat, should be left alone.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife advises people to leave the area and allow the bear to continue on its way. Residents can 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 (877-927-6337), state officials said.

See where some of the recent black bear sightings in Essex County have been reported on the below map (click on the pins to learn more about each incident). Please note that the map is NOT a complete listing of all reported bear sightings in the area, only a compilation of selected recent police and news reports from 2015, 2016 and 2017 (see below sources).

According to the DEP, although bears are by nature wary of people, bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may become nuisance bears that may cause property damage or seek handouts from people.

Intentional feeding of a bear is illegal and carries a fine of up to $1,000, officials say.

DEP officials offered the following tips for avoiding bear conflicts:

• 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.

MAP SOURCES

• Source 1; Source 2; Source 3; Source 4; Source 5; Source 6; Source 7; Source 8; Source 9; Source 10; Source 11

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Patch file photo: A bear takes a dip in a North Caldwell swimming pool in 2011.