Black bears are native to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.- There are between 500 and 800 black bears currently living in New Jersey, depending on who's counting.
- Black bears are excellent swimmers. They can run up to 35 miles per hour.
- They are excellent climbers. They will climb in search of food and for protection.
- Black bears are very intelligent.
- They have an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
- Bears learn very quickly and bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous.
- Their diet consists of mostly plants and fruits. They will also eat small animals, insects and carrion.
- Black bears give birth every other year. One to four cubs in the winter den.
- Male black bears' average weight is about 350 pounds, but they can weigh as much as 600 pounds. The average female weighs about 200 pounds.
- Bears living in the wild will live into their teens.
- Black bears are solitary creatures. Except for mom bear with the cubs or during the breeding season, which is in June.
- They do not typically display aggressive behavior, even when confronted. Their first response is to flee.
- Black bears rarely attack or defend themselves against humans.
- There is no record of a black bear attacking and killing a human in New Jersey. Never.
- Normal trail noise should alert bears to your presence and prompt the bear to leave before you ever see it.
- Use caution when in berry patches where bears are likely to go.
- During a bear encounter, use common sense. Do not approach the bear, observe it from a distance.
- Make it aware of your presence by making noise. Clap your hands, talk, sing.
- Should you encounter a bear at close range, remain standing upright, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly.
- Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice.
Do's and Don't for Camping in Black Bear Country
- Keep a clean camp.
- Food and all items that come in contact with food carry food odors that a bear can smell.
- Clean all utensils thoroughly immediately after use: cups, pots, plates, spoons etc.
- Place garbage where bears cannot gain access to it (up in a bear bag, other than the food bag or in a bear proof container).
- Don't burn or bury garbage. Bears will just dig it up.
- Do not eat or cook in your tent. Do not store food in your tent or pack.
- Consider non food items such as toothpaste, soap, gum or deodorant as food. These will attract the bear's acute sense of smell.
- Keep all food in a bear proof container or hang in a bear bag. The bear bag should be hung at least 15 feet high and 6 feet from a tree trunk.
- Never attempt to feed any bear or other wild life.
What if a Bear Comes into Camp?
- Remain calm. Most bears are easily frightened in to leaving.
- Do not feed the bear.
- Keep at least 15 feet away from the bear.
- Yell, bang pots and pans, blow a whistle to scare the bear away.
- The bear may utter a series of huffs, snap or pop its jaws, and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back sway.
- If a bear stands on its hind legs it is merely trying to get a better view rather that acting in a threatening way.
- Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground and slowly back away.
