|
Black bear sightings
If you encounter a bear: - Remain calm; most bears are easily frightened into leaving. - Do not feed the bear. - Make sure the bear has an escape route. - Yell, clap, bang pots and pans, or use car horn to scare the bear away. - If you are too close, the bear may utter a series of huffs, snap its jaws, and swat the ground.
Slowly back away - If the bear will not leave, move to your car or a building. - If a bear stands on its hind legs, it is trying to get a better view rather than acting in a threatening way. - Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground and back away. - Never approach a bear. - Observe bear from a distance.
If you encounter a bear at close range: - remain standing upright; - avoid direct eye contact; - back up slowly; and - speak in a calm, assertive and assuring voice.
Report all bear damage and nuisance incidents to the N.J. Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife at 908-735-8793
|
)