Making You Aware of Anticipated Enforcement Activities

Businesses and residences that are located within the primary bear range area north of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 287 in Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Morris and Bergen counties.

Why is DEP focusing on bear feeding?

Black bears will venture close to homes and businesses looking for food. It is illegal to feed bears in New Jersey. Anyone who feeds bears could face a penalty of up to $1,000 for each offense. Bears that are fed intentionally or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage learn to associate food with people and can become a nuisance or aggressive. Taking steps to avoid attracting bears with food or garbage is the best way to prevent them from becoming a nuisance near your home or business.

What is DEP doing?

Delivering on the DEP�s commitment to do more public education to help prevent encounters between people and bears, Conservation Officers and Compliance Inspectors will be conducting inspections of waste handling and management within black bear territory in early spring. A warning or summons may be issued to anyone found to be improperly storing and/or managing sources of food for bears including trash.

What should I do?

Store and manage food and trash in a proper manner. Take the following steps to avoid attracting bears:

� Use bear-resistant garbage containers, if possible. They offer the best protection. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, or in the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.

� Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.

� Wash garbage containers with disinfectant solution at least once a week to remove odors. Draping rags soaked in bleach over your garbage bags also help to eliminate odors.

� Feed dogs and cats outside during daylight hours only. Immediately after feeding pets, remove all uneaten food and scraps as well as food bowls.

COMPLIANCE ADVISORY

� Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue will attract bears.

� Do not place meat or any sweet foods in compost piles.

� Avoid feeding birds, if you live in an area with a large black bear population. Birds will survive without the supplemental seed. If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only, between December 1 and April 1 when bears are least active. Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure the bottom of the feeder is at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells.

� Pick up any fruit that falls from fruit trees daily, and discard it in garbage containers with tight-fitting lids.

� Consider installing electric fencing to protect crops, beehives and small livestock, if you live in an area with a large black bear population.

Whom should I contact with questions?

Division of Fish and Wildlife (609) 292-9410

Fish and Game, Wild Birds and Animals

Visit the following Web site for general information:

Please note this advisory is intended to be a summary explanation of a department initiative. It does not include all potentially applicable requirements. If you have any questions related to compliance with this initiative, please contact the Enforcement numbers listed above.