{"id":11984,"date":"2025-10-09T10:46:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T14:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=11984"},"modified":"2025-10-09T10:54:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T14:54:04","slug":"25_0045","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0045\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Reminded To Secure Trash And Other Potential Food Sources As Bear Activity Increases Prior To Winter Denning (25\/P045)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
\nOctober 9, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Contact:<\/strong> Vincent Grassi (609) 984-179
\nLawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n

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\nPUBLIC REMINDED TO SECURE TRASH AND OTHER POTENTIAL FOOD SOURCES AS BEAR ACTIVITY INCREASES PRIOR TO WINTER DENNING<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(25\/P45) TRENTON<\/strong> \u2013 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife reminds the public to reduce the potential for encounters with black bears this fall by taking measures to properly store garbage and eliminate access to other sources of food around their yards or while outdoors. Fall brings a period of heightened black bear activity as the animals must consume large amounts of food in preparation for the winter denning season.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBlack bears are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever food is available,\u201d said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner David Golden.<\/strong> \u201cThey have a keen sense of smell and will investigate all potential food sources \u2013 natural or unnatural, including garbage. Property owners, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of unwanted encounters with bears by removing or properly securing any potential food sources.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is important for people to never feed black bears. Bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may then become nuisance bears that cause property damage, seek handouts from people or become dangerous.\u00a0Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Bears and Food Sources<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of New Jersey\u2019s black bears are found in the northwestern portion of the state, particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren and northern Passaic counties, as well as portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bergen counties. However, black bears have been reported in all 21 counties.<\/p>\n

Throughout the fall, black bears need to eat more than 20,000 calories worth of food a day to bolster their fat reserves in preparation for the winter denning season. Their natural diet is comprised of plants, berries, fruit, nuts, insects, bird eggs, small mammals, and carrion.<\/p>\n

However, black bears are opportunistic feeders with an extremely keen sense of smell and are attracted by odors from potential food sources created by people from long distances. Carefully controlling these sources of food, such as improperly stored trash, can help prevent black bears from being attracted to homes and into backyards and campgrounds, and associating people with food.<\/p>\n

Tips for Minimizing Potential Bear Conflicts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

To minimize potential conflicts, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife recommends:<\/p>\n