As the weather finally begins to warm up, we aren’t the only creatures starting to emerge from our homes. Bears are waking up and making a grand entrance.
Unfortunately, not everyone is ready for them.
Black bears are appearing in more and more residential areas and people that are not necessarily used to seeing them may not know how to respond when they come face-to-face with a bear. Recently, a woman in Lafayette was attacked by a bear near her home. A few weeks prior, a bear killed two small dogs in Sussex County.
How to Prevent a Bear Attack
There are a number of steps everyone can take to minimize the chances of a negative experience with a bear.
If you come in contact with a bear, here are a few important points to remember:
- Yes, they are cute. They are also wild animals. DO NOT try to pet them. Yes, I really need to say that.
- Do not feed them. Don’t leave food out for them as a way to invite them on to your deck.
- Clean the grates of your grill after use. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and will definitely want to check them out if they any kind of interesting scent.
- Keep your garbage well-secured.
- If a sow is with her cubs, give her extra space! You know the term “momma bear?” People use it for a reason.
- Never corner a bear. Always give them an exit.
- NEVER turn your back on a bear. Just back away slowly.
- Never make eye contact with a bear. It may consider it as a form of aggression.
- NEVER turn and run! Again, slowly back away.
- Make yourself look as large as possible. Yell, clap, whistle, etc. to let the bear know you are in the area so it is not startled by you.
- If you are going into the woods, keep a whistle and either Mace or bear spray on hand.
- If you are actually attacked, kick and punch the eyes, throat, and muzzle. That’s your best chance. Do not follow the advise of the Bugs Bunny cartoons we all watched as kids and “play dead” with black bears.
Seriously though, bear attacks are incredibly rare. Just use the common sense God gave you. For more information, check out the bear safety resources provided by NJ Fish & Wildlife.