Bears

[thomaskgrosvenor]

Anyone want to share bear stories, e.g., run-ins with bears, dealing with bears, avoiding bears and or tips for safe bear-encounter-free shoreline fishing in NJ.

[Skunk City]

For as much as I am on the water and in the woods in Northern Jersey, I have only had 1 Bear encounter. Did a late night kayak trip on Lake Hopatcong, launching at a small, little known public park. Paddled out around 7pm, picked up a few fish, then started paddling back around midnight. Upon coming up to the small inlet to the back cove where my truck was, I heard a huge splash in the water, much bigger than any fish (was thinking swimmer/dog). I put my headlamp on and no more than 10ft from me was a Bear about 3ft off the shoreline standing in a foot of water. It was blocking my access route to my truck with the only way there through him. I immediately backed off to a safe distance and proceeded to clap my hands, yell, slap my paddle into the water, etc., but this guy was frozen in place and not moving. We had a "standoff" for about 10 minutes until a car drove by the area and spooked him. He ran back ashore and hauled ass into the night. I waited it out for another 10 minutes, then set my truck alarm off to make sure he didn't run towards the truck. I never saw him again.

[Eskimo]

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I don't do much shore line fishing any more so I rarely encounter bears.

There was a time when the Delaware Water gap was insane. Somehow, PETA got a hold of Governor Corzine and he stopped bear hunting in New Jersey.

The Gap was over-run with bears that were very hungry and showed little fear of people. Being in the Gap after sundown was like finding yourself in the zoo on the wrong side of the cages. Nobody in their right mind would fish from the shoreline in the evening unless they were with a group of people.

Eventually Gov. Christie restored the bear hunt and things are a lot safer, although I do kind of miss seeing the bears all the time.

Here's a pic I took a few years ago of a bear looking over my shoulder while I fished.




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[UglyStick]

I live out in Sussex county and I see bears on my property nearly every day in the summer. It's not uncommon for me to walk out of my house or around the corner of my house and be within a few yards of one.

My best story to date was a few years ago I was out in my driveway working on a trailer. I was down on one knee using a power grinder for several minutes. When I stopped and shut the grinder off, I felt something on the back of my neck. I turned my head to find an adult bear was standing directly behind me with his head about 6 inches from my ear... it was him breathing on my neck I felt. When I turned my head head I was obviously startled and let out a sudden gasp which startled the bear causing him to jump back several feet. Me still down on one knee and him standing about 6 feet back we stayed like that looking at each other for about 30 seconds. I finally clapped my hands and yelled, "Come on, go..." and he slowly turned around and walked off back into the woods. True story...

[buzzbaiter]

Being 100% shore guy and somebody who likes to fish alone miles from crowds, I see them quite a bit. Some scary moments along the way both with bears following me or encounters with moms & cubs. I do think about it more than I used to but it doesn't stop me other than maybe not as many dawn/dusk trips which is when bears are most active(crepuscular) or avoiding high forage areas like blueberry bushes along lakes & streams at that time of year. Most times they are more afraid of you and they'll run off. Other times they are either curious or territorial and will come closer. All I know is - and I know it goes against instinct - is DON"T RUN. Slowly back away, avoid staring and you should be fine. Once they are out of sight, then get to safety quickly. Most "wild" bears - i.e ones not used to people - will avoid you. I've bumped into 500-600 lbers on trails that ran from me which I found funny. I'm the one standing there pee running down my leg yet they run away. lol If they get too close, then you go into self preservation mode where you basically do everything you can - scream, yell, jump, clap, etc. - to avoid being hurt. I would suggest safety in numbers and always carry a whistle or air horn. They hate noise.

U can also avoid high bear density areas. DWGNRA, Worthington, Norvin Green, AS Hewitt & Stokes Forests, Swartswood & High Pt State parks are the highest pop areas as well as areas around the mt areas of eastern Sussex(Sparta)/northern Morris(Jefferson) and western Passaic(West Milford). Those areas are loaded.

[jmurr711]

ran into one at a rest stop once very awkward

[The Birdman]

While trolling salmon at Wawayanda in May I witnessed a Coyote go after someones dog on the swimming beach. The owner had to chase it away with a big stick.

Wawayanda has tons of bears. The newark watersheds also have LOTS of bears. I usually see them at least 4-5 times / year from my boat.
In June, we witnessed a full grown bear swim straight across Clinton res.

[briansnat]

I've seen a a dozen or so while fishing, mostly from a boat. Only once while I was stream fishing.

I never had a "run in" while fishing. They tend to go the other way when they notice you. But if you do encounter an aggressive one, do not run, even if they charge (it's usually a bluff). Back slowly away while talking calmly. Make yourself as "big" as possible, for example if you have a net and rod, hold them out so you look larger (they have pretty poor eyesight). When you get to the car, change your underwear.

[thyer]

Fishing at Ramapo lake one morning. I hike up to lake and proceed on the walking path across the dam. Distance between the path and the water isn't more than 20 feet. I stop by one spot along the shore and start setting up my float tube. I got startled by someone, something walking across the path back into the woods. It was a bear that must have been having a morning drink while I walked right by him and I never saw him.

[NickN]

Saw 3 on the Big Flatbook last night. They are all over the place up there.

[bling306]

One time, at Monksville, I was with a group of people, hanging out on the island when my buddy suddenly told us to be quiet. Next thing I know, I'm hearing a faint grunting sound that was getting somewhat louder. We walked to the edge of the island to see a 400lb or so bear swimming from one side of the reservoir to the other. He took one look at us and kept on swimming.

[shrimpman steve]

ran into one at a rest stop once very awkward

That's funny. What were you doin at the pickle park

[shrimpman steve]

I live in Ringwood. They are just a part of life up here

I've been pretty close to these "ghosts of the forest". They are really beutiful creatures.

[Gerry Zagorski]

My favorite bear joke

The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.

They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.

Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.

It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area.

People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.

Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper :D

[mondofish]

hahahahaha!!!!

[dakota560]

Gerry that's great....lol! Fished this spring for shad near the Gap. In particular along Old Mine Road adjacent to the river north of the Water Gap Rt 80 bridge. In a matter of two weeks, I ran across 4 mother bear and a total of 9 cubs. All bear encounters were as someone pointed out early or late, dawn or dusk, and fortunately from inside my truck while going to or leaving the river. One bear jumped out from heavy cover about 15 ft in front of my truck , ran along the road for about 5 seconds and disappeared into the woods on the other side of the road. My son was with me at the time and both of us were like WTF! Interestingly enough this happened on a weekend and the spot the bear came from was right at the Worthington State campgrounds which was loaded with people. I'm sure she was attracted by the smell of food being grilled but I was surprised on the other side of the heavy cover she erupted from there had to be a hundred campers hanging out! As I was pulling away from the spot, I looked in my rear view mirror and two tiny cubs came waking out from the same area mama bear did and walked across the street to be reunited with mama. CRAZY! That area as someone already posted is LOADED with bears many of which have cubs in early spring. Old Mine Road is a 15 mph road and I've always wondered why and now I know. Between the dense cover, deer and bears, you need to be extremely careful driving there. While it was very cool seeing the adult bears and in particular the cubs you need to be careful to not get in nature's way. That sizeable a bear population and that many people all in close corners is an accident waiting to happen if you're not cognizant of your surroundings. The Delaware River in the spring , that area, is littered with dead or dying shad and the resident bear population frequents the river every night to snack, especially the mothers and their cubs. Great site to see but something you need to respect as well.

[jmurr711]

That's funny. What were you doin at the pickle park

$20 is $20.............

[Dave B.]

Saw 3 on the Big Flatbook last night. They are all over the place up there.

There'll be 1 less up there come early Dec if I can help it, they're tasty!

As for close encounters, after decades of spending an average of 30 weekends a year camping in the area there are just way too many to go into. Suffice it to say that within 10 to 20 feet on dozens of occasions likely counts as close, that's without mentioning the couple hundred other, more 'distant' encounters.

[shrimpman steve]

Yesterday in neighbors yard

[bunker dunker]

they look cute in the woods but look Great next to mashies and gravy.come on December!!!!

[yumasdad]

I live 3 blocks from GREENWOOD & they are a part of our daily lives. You have be smarter than the bear & learn to live with them.
We always carry snappers (firecrackers which do not require lighting-only throw to the ground & it sounds like a 22) every night when we walk Yuma....I go thru about 2-3 boxes (20 per box) per year so it just another day @ the rodeo.....see more bear than deer.

My wife & have spent many a time watching the momma bears eat pine cones while the cubs run around our house getting into trouble...running thru my fence, destroying the recycling, trying to master the hammock. They are really a pleasure to watch.

BOBCATS were scene in the hood this weekend & a friend saw a MTN LION on BASS rock on GWL earlier this year.

LIFE IN JUNGLE HABIT

[Wilson]

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding residents of ways to reduce bear encounters and offering tips should they come within close range of black bears following a recent bear-human interaction at Ramapo Mountain State Forest. The Division is investigating whether the bear came in contact with one of the hikers, a 7-year-old boy.

In most cases, encounters between people and bears end without incident. However, If you see a bear, in particular one that does not show much fear, immediately contact the Department of Environmental Protection's hotline at (877) 927-6337, or (877) WARN-DEP.

For more information on the encounters in the state forest, as well as tips for hikers and homeowners, see the DEP news release at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2015/15_0077.htm .

[shrimpman steve]

Mountain lion. Was he sure that's what it was? I know they are moving east but didn't think they were here yet

[mondofish]

Mountain lion. Was he sure that's what it was? I know they are moving east but didn't think they were here yet

A couple years back there were sightings in Connecticut. Days after the sightings one was found dead on a CT highway.

[RJHooker]

I have seen quite a few in Ringwood SP.

I ran into one male (guessing) blocking my exit from the model airplane field. Big sucker, guessing 300+ pounds, lighter brown color. He was rolling on his back in the grass playing with low hanging branches. He was about 150 ft away. I went to get my phone to take a pic and I look up to see him running in my direction.

Needless to say I sprinted for a hole in the fence that's not easy to find. Yeah, I know that's not what you should do, but this was no cookie cutter black. I had enough real estate between us for a confident escape. I'm not gonna pretend to be big against a charging bear who's way bigger.

Worst part of that area is that at least a mile from the nearest road. I drive my Forester up there now.

Went to BFB recently and thankfully didn't see any.

[Wilson]

Got this email today from the DEP.
Saw the video somewhere on the internet.

In recent weeks, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has received numerous calls regarding an online video and news coverage of a black bear that has been walking upright in Oak Ridge, Passaic County. The bear is walking on its hind legs only due to apparent injuries to its front paws. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has been monitoring its movement and condition of the bear since last year and assures the public that the best course of action is to allow the animal to continue to live its life in the wild.

Based on video footage, interviews with residents, and the fact that the bear survived last winter’s very cold and snowy weather all indicate that the bear has been able to find adequate food sources and go through the course of its normal activities, including denning, without intervention from people. This is a much better situation than capturing the bear and making it live in captivity, as many callers have suggested.

While some people who have contacted the Division have suggested tranquilizing and relocating the bear, this poses its own risks. Tranquilizing carries the risk that the bear may not recover. Relocation may reduce the survival chances of the bear if it is placed in an area where it must compete with other bears for food.

Fish and Wildlife bear biologists believe it is best not to intervene or make attempts to capture this bear. If the condition and health of the bear clearly deteriorates, then biologists from the Division of Fish and Wildlife will respond accordingly.