Bear Visits NJ Home’s Porch, Caught On Doorbell Camera: Report

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — A bear was caught on camera appearing to try to solicit a Sussex County resident recently, according to a News12 report.

A few weeks ago, a Sparta home’s doorbell camera captured a black bear investigating the front porch, according to the report.

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In the video, which can be seen here, the bear can be seen booping its nose on the smart doorbell before running off to join its companion, who was keeping watch from the front yard.

With the weather warming up, bear sightings will likely become more common, especially in Sussex County. Last year, more than 200 bears were killed in Sussex County during the seasonal bear hunt.

While many may find bears cute looking, officials remind residents that they can be dangerous. A Rutgers student in West Milford was killed by a black bear in 2014, shortly after capturing its photograph. The tragedy was the first fatal black bear attack recorded in NJ in 150 years.

Here are some do’s and dont’s regarding bear encounters, provided by NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife division:

"DON'T

• Do not feed bears.
• Do not approach bears. Especially feeding bears, which will aggressively defend their food.
• Do not run from bears. Running may trigger a chase response.
• Do not make direct eye contact. Bears may perceive this as a challenge.

DO

• Remain calm and slowly back away.
• Make the bear aware of you.
• Be loud: speak in an assertive voice, yell, sing, or clap your hands. If available, bang pots and pans or use an airhorn.
• Make yourself look big. Wave your arms. Hold your jacket above your head.
• If you’re in a group, stay together and perform these actions together.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route. If a bear enters your home, prop all the doors open.
• If the bear doesn’t leave, move to a secure area.
• If your family lives in an area frequented by black bears, create a “Bear Plan” 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! Aim for the snout and/or eyes. Use anything at hand: (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or kick the bear).
• Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)."

For more information on residential bear sightings, visit the NJDEP’s website here.