New Jersey is an example of what can happen when a human population explosion collides with a rebounding bear population. The state also has the potential to be a model for peaceful human-bear coexistence.
How Many Bears? How Many People?
In recent decades, New Jersey's bear population slowly recovered from the devastating effects of habitat loss and over-hunting. The exact size of the current population isn't known because, although black bears are primarily found in north and central New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has only performed population studies in the western and eastern regions. In 2003, the agency estimated these regions contained 1490 bears.
Since scientists simply don't know how many bears there are in New Jersey, there is no way to determine how many bears can be killed without jeopardizing the black bear population. The species is late to mature and reproduces slowly, so it is especially vulnerable to over-hunting.
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. Between 1950 and 2000, the population nearly doubled to reach 8.4 million. As development eats away at black bear habitat, the number of reported human-bear conflicts has risen. These conflicts appear to be largely property related, categorized by the Division of Fish and Wildlife as "nuisance" complaints.
Hunting May Increase, Not Decrease, Human-Bear Conflicts
New Jersey hunting proponents claim that reducing the number of black bears will reduce human-bear conflicts. But a growing bear population doesn't necessarily lead to more problems. Between 1985 and 2002, the estimated Minnesota bear population increased from 8,000 to 21,000, but complaints dropped from 2,859 to 625. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suggested a link between the drop in complaints and residents learning to live with bears and prevent most conflicts.
New Jersey's hunt targets the bears who are the least likely to come into conflict with humans, because the hunt takes place far from inhabited areas. The state Department of Fish Wildlife has the authority to kill individual bears that repeatedly cause damage or exhibit fearless or aggressive behavior towards humans.
The hunt may actually increase conflicts, since hunters are allowed to lure bears on non-federal lands with bait such as pastries and cooking grease. Habituating bears to human food sources teaches them to seek out homes, campgrounds and other human-related food sources.
How to Reduce Human-Bear Conflicts
Residents can keep everybody safe by taking a few precautions. The most important thing you can do is eliminate any outdoor food sources:
- use a bear-proof garbage can (the Bear Resource Group has a Crittercan program, and some communities will subsidize your purchase)
- if possible, keep garbage indoors until trash day
- don't put food scraps in your compost pile
- collect fruit from trees once it is ripe
- thoroughly clean barbeques
- don't feed your pets outdoors
If approached by a bear, act aggressively—make noise and throw objects—and never turn your back or run. Negative experiences with humans will teach bears to avoid areas where humans dwell. To learn more about living peacefully with bears, visit our Solving Problems with Black Bears page.
