9.16-JC A New Jersey State Historic Site Administered by NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry State Park Service www.njparksandforests.org Native to New Jersey, black bears are the largest land mammal in the Garden State. Their prime habitat consists of mixed hardwood forests, dense swamps and forested wetlands. Nearly wiped out a century ago by habitat destruction and indiscriminate killing, black bears today are thriving, particularly in the northwestern area of the state. Their range is expanding south and east and black bears have been sighted in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties. The mere presence of a black bear is not considered a problem. Generally, bears tend to be wary of humans. Residents may observe bears near their homes. It is important not to leave out any food that may encourage bears to linger in residential areas. Black bears learn very quickly. Bears that are fed intentionally – or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage – will associate food with people. These bears can become a nuisance or aggressive and may have to be destroyed. You can help to prevent problems with black bears by following some simple tips when at home, camping, hunting, ÀVKLQJ KLNLQJ RU ZKHQHYHU RXWGRRUV LQ DUHDV ZLWK ODUJH EODFN EHDU SRSXODWLRQV “By late accounts from New Jersey, we are informed that General Washington’s headquarters were at Mrs. Wallace’s, about twelve miles from New Brunswick.” -Royal Gazette dated New York, December 19, 1778 Front Cover Photo Courtesy of Jeff Crawn A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne Ne N N N Ne Ne Ne Ne N Ne N N N N N N N Ne Ne N N N N w w w w w w w w w w w w w w Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je Je J Je Je J Je e e Je Je e rs rs r rs rs rs rs rs rs rs rs rs rs rs rs s rs s rs rs r rs rs rs s rs rs rs rs s s r r rs rs rs s s s s r rs r rs rs s s s s s rs rs s s s s s s s s s s s s s s rs s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s e e ey e e e e e e ey ey ey ey ey ey ey y ey ey ey ey ey ey ey ey ey y e e e e e ey ey y ey ey ey ey y e e e ey ey y y y y y 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(For more information see “If You Encounter a Bear…”) larges st rime s, rly ction ay ay rn n sout th h h h d d in i nd d erve e to ars t to o o o cts Photo Courtesy of Jeff Crawn Fish and Wildlife NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF Fish and Wildlife NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF D E P A R T M E N T O F E N V I R O N M E N T A L P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T O F E N V I R O N M E N T A L P R O T E C T I O N N E W J E R S E Y D E P A R T M E N T O F E N V I R O N M E N T A L P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T O F E N V I R O N M E N T A L P R O T E C T I O N N E W J E R S E Y D I V I S I O N O F P A R K S A N D F O R E S T R Y N. J. D I V I S I O N O F P A R K S A N D F O R E S T R Y N. J. Remember: Never feed bears! It’s illegal in New Jersey, and it’s dangerous. Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to local police or to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1 (877) WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337). For more information on New Jersey’s black bears, visit www.NJFishandWildlife.com Did You Know? New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife h h h h h h h h h P P P P P P Black bears are usually solitary animals that are most active at dawn and dusk. Black bears have excellent senses of smell and hearing. Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour. They are strong swimmers and excellent climbers. Both adults and cubs will climb trees for food and to escape disturbances. Black bears eat both plants and animals. Their diet mostly consists of skunk cabbage, berries, wild cherries, acorns and beechnuts. They also eat insects, small mammals and dead animals. Black bears are opportunistic feeders and will supplement their diet with food or garbage left out by people. Adult females average 185 pounds; adult males average 400 pounds. Not all black bears are black. Across North America, they can be brown, cinnamon, blonde, white and even gray-blue! Fifteen percent of New Jersey’s bears have a white chest blaze. Black bears are not true hibernators. In their winter den, they enter a period of dormancy, called torpor, to avoid severe weather and food shortages. Den sites include rock cavities, brush piles, open ground nests and hollow trees. Bears may leave their den if disturbed or in search of food on mild winter days. Breeding season runs from late May until August. The average litter size is three cubs weighing about 8 to 16 ounces each. Cubs remain with their mother until she breeds again. Normal noise made walking on a trail should alert a bear to your presence, prompting it to leave before you see it. Use caution in areas where bears are likely to venture, such as berry patches. 1HYHU OHDYH ÀVK HQWUDLOV RQ VKRUHOLQHV RI ODNHV RU streams. Sink entrails in deep water. If you see a bear, use common sense. Never approach the animal; observe it only from a distance. If you see a bear, make it aware of your presence by clapping, talking, singing or making other noise. If you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a calm, assertive voice. 9.16-JC Remember: Immediately notify local police or the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1 (877) WARN DEP, if you encounter an aggressive bear.