From the Pinelands to Vineland, black bears have been peaking their heads out of the woods and causing a stir in South Jersey this summer, including area towns such as Medford, Shamong and Tabernacle. As long as area residents follow some simple rules after sighting a bear, all should be well, according to state and local officials.
A fun summer pastime, camping in the woods, may not be crashed by a pack of bears all too often, but there are other woodland creatures to keep an eye out for, said N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) spokesman Larry Hajna.
Bold skunks and raccoons are much more likely to raid a campsite in the search for food, Hajna said.
“They are typically the more pesky critters,” he added.
A hungry bear
If a bear does walk into camp, avoid eye contact, make some noises, and raise your arms to look bigger.
“You should make sure it has an escape route,” said Hajna. “If they feel cornered, it could create a dangerous situation.”
Animals are drawn to the scent of food, he said, and keeping a clean and tidy campsite is key to avoiding unwanted encounters.
Clean grills, pots and pans after use, he said, and put them in the car.
If you are in a more wilderness of an environment, purchase bear-proof containers and bear bags and hoist them into trees to deter bears.
The DEP’s website has a listing of company suggestions, including UnBearable Bins, BearGuard and Bear Proofing-R-Us.
Recently, a Twitter account under the handle “SouthJerseyBear” emerged to give readers some advice from the mind of a bear.
“Unless I am truly famished, dehydrated, or threatened, I will not attack or eat you,” said the bear via Twitter on June 29.
Later, the bear, which at the time was hanging out in a tree in Vineland, added, “I am a fuzzy and cute woodland creature but if hugging is attempted it is likely that I will maul and kill you.”
A few hours later, he was caught.
“My reign of terror ended way to early,” he lamented. “I’m currently being transported to a undisclosed area in NJ by NJDEP Agents.”
One black bear was sighted in Medford this year. According to Lt. Jeffrey Wagner, it was the first to emerge into the public’s view in eight years in the township.
“Bears are eating machines. They like food,” said Col. William C. Lowe, Tabernacle Township’s emergency management coordinator. “They like it simple. They prefer berries.”
Most, however, roam through Wharton State Forest, he said, out of sight, out of mind.
Random acts of nature
On Saturday, June 30, an unexpected and vicious storm raged through the state, bringing wind gusts of more than 80 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
At Parvin State Park in Salem County, two young campers lost their lives when a tree fell on their tent.
According to a statement by the DEP, “Hundreds of trees were toppled by the storm, blocking roads and trails, damaging cabins and other park structures, and downing power lines in the park.”
To avoid being caught in a dangerous situation, campers should choose campsites wisely, steer clear of mountaintops, pick sheltered areas and stay within designated camping lines, explained Hajna.
“Camping’s a very safe pastime,” he said. “That storm was terrible. It really is devastating. It was just a very sudden and violent storm.”
For added safety, observe the health and limbs of surrounding trees, he said. It is extremely rare for trees to fall on tents in approved campgrounds.
Bring gear for harsh weather, said Lt. Wagner, check the forecast and always let someone know when you are planning to camp out.
How to prepare
“There are plenty of guidebooks available on camping,” said Hajna.
If taking a trip to the woods for the first time, attempt to find a seasoned buddy who can show you the ropes.
Inattentiveness is the biggest contributor to camping accidents, he said.
People hurt themselves while cutting wood or hammering in a stake, he said. Others wander into patches of poison ivy.
Bring insect repellant to battle the mosquitos that thrive in summertime.
Whenever possible, use approved fire rings to build a fire, he said, and observe posted warnings in the area.
“Always exercise caution when building a fire in a remote area,” he said, and make sure there is plenty of cleared space around.
Use your wits, he explained.
Vicky Allen of the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey offered up some handy advice.
Wear lightweight clothing in the summer that offers sun protection, she said, and cover your head with a hat or bandana.
Pack sunscreen, bug repellent, a flashlight, extra batteries, a refillable bottle of water, socks, closed shoes, a small first aid kid, and matches.
“A roll of scotch tape is an excellent way to permanently remove any unattached tick (place sticky side of tape on tick and then fold so that the tick is trapped inside when the two sticky sides are pressed together,” said Allen through an email.
Know the camp you’re choosing, she said, to understand what type of shelter is available, what the water supply is like, and if wood fires are allowed.
In Burlington County, the Girl Scouts use Camp Inawendiwin in nearby Tabernacle and Kettle Run in Medford.
Handling injuries
Young children need to be closely supervised while camping, said Allen.
“Proper supervision is always the key,” she said. “Pre-teens have just enough experience and self confidence to take more risks.”
At that age, they may receive more freedom and limited independence, which could result in more injuries, she said.
According to the Boy Scouts of America’s website, there are many ways to manage risk.
“Risk management is so much a part of outdoor adventures that often we hardly notice we are doing it. When we fill bottles with water from streams and lakes, we deal with the risk of parasites by treating the water with a filter or chemicals, or by boiling it,” it reads. “When we share the outdoors with bears, we protect them and ourselves by hanging our food out of their reach, eliminating odors from our sleeping areas, and keeping campsites spotless.”
“When foul weather blows in, routes become uncomfortably exposed, streams swell, or snow loads make avalanches a possibility, we consider all the available information and then make decisions that keep risks at acceptable levels,” it continues.
Stay in good shape, know where you are headed and drink plenty of water, it reads.
Make sure vaccinations are up to date, suggests the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on their website.
When done camping, make sure to “leave no trace,” said Col. Lowe.
“The idea is use some common sense,” he said.
Online Resources
The web is a great place to start preparing for a trip to the woods. View these key websites for important information:
http://scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources.aspx
www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts_safetytips.htm
www.americanbear.org/awareness/camping-hiking.html
www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/aboutus.html
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/
www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearcont.htm
Extra black bear facts
The following information was gleaned from the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife:
-The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
-If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
-Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
-If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
-Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1–877-WARN DEP (1–877–927–6337).
-Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
-Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back!
