The question of whether bears inhabit the southern portions of New Jersey is increasingly relevant to residents and visitors. The answer is a definitive yes: American Black Bears are now present across the entire state. While historically concentrated in the north, the Black Bear population has been expanding its range southward and eastward for decades. This expansion means sightings in South Jersey are no longer rare occurrences. This shift necessitates a clear understanding of the species, its habitat, and the practical steps required for safe coexistence.
Presence and Species Identification
The only bear species found in New Jersey is the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). These animals are the largest land mammals in the state. Adult males (boars) typically average around 400 pounds, though some exceed 600 pounds, while females (sows) average about 175 pounds. Most Black Bears are black, though about 15% may exhibit a small white chest patch called a blaze. Despite their size, Black Bears are generally timid and non-aggressive when left undisturbed. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) confirms that Black Bears have been sighted in all 21 counties. Their presence in South Jersey is due to the successful population growth and expansion from traditional strongholds in the northwestern part of the state.
Geographical Range and Habitat
The primary habitat for bears in the southern region is the extensive forested area known as the Pine Barrens, protected as the Pinelands National Reserve. This vast landscape of mixed hardwood forests, dense cedar swamps, and wetlands provides an ideal environment. The low human population density and abundant water sources within the Pinelands offer the cover and resources bears require to thrive. The species’ adaptable nature means their presence is not strictly limited to deep wilderness areas. Transient bears, often young males dispersing from their mother’s territory, follow wooded corridors and river systems into suburban settings, occasionally spotted in counties like Burlington and Atlantic.
Bear Behavior and Seasonal Activity
Black Bears follow a distinct annual cycle that dictates their movement and interaction with human areas. Their most active periods are during the spring, when they emerge from winter dens, and the fall, when they enter intense feeding known as hyperphagia. During hyperphagia, bears consume massive amounts of calories, sometimes upwards of 20,000 per day, to store fat for winter dormancy. This urgent need for calories is the primary reason bears are drawn toward human residences, where accessible food sources represent an easy payoff. Bears are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, and their acute sense of smell allows them to detect food sources like garbage or cooking odors from more than two miles away.
Coexisting Safely: Prevention and Encounters
Residential Prevention
Preventing Black Bears from associating human homes with easy meals is the most effective step for safe coexistence, requiring homeowners to secure all potential attractants since bears are highly intelligent and learn quickly. Trash should be stored in a secured location, such as a garage or sturdy shed, and utilize bear-resistant containers if possible. Only place trash out on the morning of collection, not the night before. During the active bear season (spring through late fall), all outdoor food sources must be removed, including bird feeders (taken down by April 1st) and unattended pet food. Outdoor grills should also be thoroughly cleaned of grease and food residue after every use, as residual odors can easily attract a foraging bear.
Encounter Guidelines
If an encounter occurs, either on a trail or in a yard, the appropriate response is to remain calm and never run, as this may trigger a predatory chase instinct. Make your presence known by speaking in a low, assertive voice, clapping your hands, or making other noises; the goal is to make the bear aware of your presence and encourage it to leave. Slowly back away while facing the bear, ensuring it has an unobstructed escape route, and avoid direct eye contact, which can be perceived as a challenge. If a bear approaches or stands on its hind legs, it is usually trying to get a better look or scent, not acting aggressively. If a bear does not retreat and begins to act defensively, make yourself look as large as possible and yell loudly to scare it away.