Black Bear in New Jersey are growing in population and distribution.  Bear - human incidents are being reported in all or most counties.  The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife have been studying Black Bear in the Northwestern Areas of NJ and over 30 years have handled over 3,000 distinct bears!  Over NJ Black bear population is estimated at over 5,000, conservatively.  The adult female, called the Sow will birth 2 or more cubs ever 2 years.  Sightings of 3 cubs are not unusual, and Sows with 4 cubs have been observed. 

Bear activity is most intense in the Spring when they emerge from their dens and begin foraging after Winter slumber and birthing; then some months later during the mating season when the Sow drives off her yearling cubs and males (Boar) are attracted (boars will kill and eat cubs if found); and in the Fall, as the bear intensify foraging to store fat for the Winter.  Bear are solitary and intensely competitive in their territory. 

Bear are frequent visitors and a few may center their territory in Mountain Lakes.  Bear are omnivores and opportunistic.  They will seek and eat a wide variety of plant, insect and animal life, including carrion.  Bear will kill and eat other animals, including deer fawn and sick deer.  Our pets are on the menu, too.  Educate family members!  Supervise children playing or exploring in woodlands! 

Bear are attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage, caged animals and so forth.  They are being conditioned to human activity and can be very dangerous!  Please be aware and take care!  Do not feed wildlife, except for birds in Winter.  Do not feed pets outside of the home.  Do not put out discarded food garbage until the morning of pick-up, secure garbage cans, and use some ammonia to mask garbage smells and ward off scavengers, such as bear, raccoon, dogs and coyotes. 

DEP Fish & Wildlife Bear Facts page