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 .
