{"id":8406,"date":"2026-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=8406"},"modified":"2026-01-01T00:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T05:00:11","slug":"bear-encounters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-encounters\/","title":{"rendered":"Bear Encounters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/badge-bear-safety-rnbw-1@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7454\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Encounters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Black bears by nature tend to be wary of people. However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<i class=\"fa-solid fa-xmark fa-xl\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i> <strong>DON&#8217;T<\/strong>\n<ul>\n   <li><strong>Do not feed bears.<\/strong><\/li>\n   <li><strong>Do not approach bears.<\/strong> Especially feeding bears, which will aggressively defend their food.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>Do not run from bears.<\/strong> Running may trigger a chase response.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>Do not make direct eye contact.<\/strong> Bears may perceive this as a challenge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<i class=\"fa-regular fa-square-check fa-xl\" style=\"color: #018458\"><\/i> <strong>DO<\/strong>\n<ul>\n   <li><strong>Remain calm and slowly back away.<\/strong><\/li>\n   <li><strong>Make the bear aware of you.<\/strong><\/li>\n   <li><strong>Be loud:<\/strong> speak in an assertive voice, yell, sing, or clap your hands. If available, bang pots and pans or use an airhorn.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>Make yourself look big.<\/strong>Wave your arms. Hold your jacket above your head.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>If you\u2019re in a group, stay together<\/strong> and perform these actions together.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>Make sure the bear has an escape route.<\/strong> If a bear enters your home, prop all the doors open.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>If the bear doesn\u2019t leave, move to a secure area.<\/strong><\/li>\n   <li>If your family lives in an area frequented by black bears, <strong>create a \u201cBear Plan\u201d for children,<\/strong> with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.<\/li>\n   <li>Black bear attacks are extremely rare. <strong>If a black bear does attack, fight back!<\/strong> Aim for the snout and\/or eyes. Use anything at hand: (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or kick the bear).<\/li>\n   <li><strong>-Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP\u2019s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at <font style=\"color: #dc3545\">1-877-WARN DEP<\/font> <a href=\"tel:18779276337\">(1-877-927-6337)<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<i class=\"fa-regular fa-circle-exclamation fa-xl\" style=\"color: #0c7fa4\"><\/i> <strong>REMEMBER<\/strong>\n<ul>\n   <li><strong>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.<\/strong> Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>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.<\/strong> It is usually not a threatening behavior.<\/li>\n   <li><strong>Black bears will sometimes \u201cbluff charge\u201d when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food.<\/strong> Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Bear Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column bear-resources is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Safety Tips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-encounters\/\">Bear Encounters<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-homeowners\/\">Homeowners<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-outdoor-enthusiasts\/\">Hikers and Campers<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-municipalities\/\">Townships \/ Law Enforcement<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-businesses\/\">Businesses<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-agriculturists\/\">Farmers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevent Bear Damage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/prevent-bear-damage\/\">Avoid Attracting Bears<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/garbage-management\/\">Garbage Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/pet-owners\/\">Pet Owners<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/feeding-birds\/\">Feeding Birds<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/beehives-crops-livestock\/\">Beehives \/ Crops \/ Livestock<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/compost-piles-gardens-fruit-trees\/\">Compost \/ Gardens \/ Fruit Trees<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column bear-resources is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/history-of-black-bears-in-new-jersey\/\">Natural History<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-biology-and-behavior\/\">Biology<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-biology-and-behavior\/#behavior\">Behavior<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-research-and-management\/\">Bear Research<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-management\/\">Bear Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/publications-and-materials\/\">Publications &amp; Materials<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-education-in-new-jersey\/\">Black Bear Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-safety-video\/\">YouTube Bear Safety Video<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-kids\/\">Bear Facts for Kids<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/activity-reports\/\">Activity Reports<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bear Encounters Black bears by nature tend to be wary of people. However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips. DON&#8217;T Do not feed bears. Do not approach bears. Especially feeding bears, which will aggressively defend their food. Do not run from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":6544,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8406","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8406"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63762,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8406\/revisions\/63762"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}