MAY 7, 2015, 9:45 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015, 9:51 PM
BY MARINA VILLENEUVE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
After five years of an annual bear hunt in December, North Jersey still has one of the nation’s densest black bear populations, and state wildlife experts say encounters between man and bear are now occurring more frequently outside of what is commonly bear country.
As a result, the state is considering an expansion of the hunt, in October, starting next year.
The typically solitary, benign creatures are adaptable and can live close to human developments. When bears turn about one year old, they venture out in search of their own territory, said state Department of Environmental Projection spokesperson Larry Hajna.
“What we have in Northwest New Jersey is a situation where we have a very productive bear population, and limited habitat,” he said. Hajna estimated the area has two or three bears per square mile — not much “elbow room for foraging a habitat, finding a mate.”
This time of year, bears emerge from winter dens and seek to mate, sometimes roaming for miles. Police in Allendale, Saddle River and Ramsey say they have received multiple reports of sightings in the past few days.
About 3,500 black bears live in North Jersey, according to the DEP, about the same as when the hunt began in 2010.
Maybe that cop who shot the dog can be used for this work?
The bears will start using Graydon Pool again and have pool badges again.
But that will please the “Preserve Graydon ” group again. Life guards will be issued shot guns again.
Well I hope the bears at Graydon will be content with the reduced hours. Ms. Sonenfeld made it abundantly clear that she does not want the pool hours to be re-extended to what they always have been, and she cut out the end of the summer. Memo to Ms. Sonenfeld: we did not elect you. And you will be gone, God-willing, on July 2, 2016.
Oh! do you mean they are going after the over population of humans? How many unpleasant encounters with humans have you had recently.