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Environmental Commission
Living with Bears
Posted: August 15, 2009
UVING WITH BEARS
The Byram Township Environmental Commission obtained this information from www.state.nj..us/dep/fgw/bearproqlhtm, hiLli JI) nt;w nwnr in huu und If von encounter a bear,..
o Do not reed or approach the bear!
o Remain calm and make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in a calm, assertive voice.
o Make sure the bear has an escape route.
o Yell, hang pots and pans or use an airhorn to scare away the bear. 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.
o The bear may utter a series of huffs. make popping sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact. Do not run.
o 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 usually is not a threatening behavior.
o Black hears will sometimes bluff charge when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground. avoid direct eye contact and then slowly back away. Do not run.
o If the bear will not leave, head for nearby shelter. Remember that black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.
Did you know’?
o Black bears are usually solitary animals that are most active at dawn and dusk.
o Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour. They are strong swimmers and excellent climbers.
o During winter, black bears undergo a period of dormancy in dens, called torpor. to avoid severe weather and food shortages. Since black bears are not true hibernators, they may leave their dens if disturbed or to search for food on mild winter days.
o Den sites include rock cavities, brush piles, open ground nests and hollow trees. How to keep bears out of your neighborhood...
o DO NOT LEAVE OUT FOOD OR GARBAGE.
o FEEDING BEARS IS ILLEGAL. AND IT IS DANGEROUS FOR YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS.
o Use hear-resistant garbage containers and store them along the inside walls of your garage or in the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.
o Wash garbage containers with a disinfectant solution regularly to remove odors.
o Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.
o Clean up after pets. If you feed them outside, do so during daylight only. Pick up leftover food and remove bowls immediately.
o Clean outdoor grills and utensils after each use and store grills securely.
o Avoid feeding birds or do so during daylight only between December 1 and April 1, when bears are least active. Suspend feeder from a free-hanging wire,
with the bottom is at least 10 feet off the ground. Bring feeder indoors at night. Clean up spilled seeds and shells.
Report black bear damage or nuisance or aggressive behavior to local police or to the New Jersey Department of Environand Wildlife at 1(877) WARN DEP<br><br>