Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Bears are very common in North America and are definitely not a strange sight to the Garden State of New Jersey. Black bears are the biggest land mammal present in New Jersey.
The Mid-Atlantic state has a relatively small number but flourishing population of black bears. They are an essential element of the state’s wild heritage and a crucial part of nourishing ecosystems.
In recent years, the state has also seen a growth of its population in every county and is known for having an exceptional number of black bear inhabitants in the nation.
Below I’ve explained everything you must know about the bears in New Jersey.
Are There Bears In New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the only bear species that lives is the American black bear (Ursus americanus). These Black Bears are gigantic-bodied, muscular mammals that are quite agile.
The adult male black bears in New Jersey are called boars. They can weigh 400 pounds, however, their weight can range anywhere from 150 to 600 pounds.
An adult female bear is called a sow. They can weigh about 175 pounds and can range anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds.
Adult black bears, when on all four paws can be about 3 feet high and range anywhere from 5 to 7 feet in height when standing straight
Usually, black bears can be in different colors, varying from black to brown. But, in New Jersey most black bears are black. However, there was one black bear being documented in cinnamon brown in color in the state.
Also, about 15% of the state’s bears have a white chest blaze and a typical brown muzzle like other black bears.
Are Bears Common In New Jersey?
Black bears are typically solitary animals and are most active throughout the night times. Also, they are not aggressive and tend to stay away from people. So, though the state of new jersey has a quite big population of black bears it is not common for you to spot one.
What Is The Famous Bear In New Jersey?
Pedals, an American black bear (Ursus americanus) was well known for walking straight on its back legs, because of the wounds on its front paws.
A video was posted on the internet, that had more than 300,000 people sign a requisition to transfer it to a wildlife sanctuary. However, Pedals appeared to have been killed by a hunter on October 2016.
This was because the state approved bow and arrow hunting, which also permitted muzzle-loading rifles since the 1960s. Totally 562 bears were killed and in response to it the “Pedals’ Law” was introduced to ban black bear hunting for five years in New Jersey.
Also Check Our Guide On Bears In US
How Many Bears Does New Jersey Have?
Currently, in New Jersey, there are about 3,000 black bears. The total number of black bears has been increasing in the past years as their habitat has expanded and with the introduction of bears from New York and Pennsylvania.
Additionally, black bears in New Jersey have exceptionally increased reproductive rates. These species are also protected under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which has let them recover and flourish.
Do Grizzly Bears Live In New Jersey?
No, the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) species that was usually found in North America were not historically found in the state of New Jersey.
Also Check Out Our Guide On Bears In North Carolina
Can You Hunt Bear In New Jersey? Is There A Bear Hunting Season In New Jersey?
Yes, hunting bears in the state of New Jersey with a license and in accordance with stringent rules is legal. Also, there is a specified bear hunting season dates and Legal hunting hours that are issued by the state. The notification for season dates will be announced on the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife website.
How Many Bear Attacks In New Jersey?
Though there have been reposts of bear activity, sightings, damage, and nuisance in New Jersey. There has never been a fatal attack by black bears on humans.
Black bears have rarely killed people in New Jersey. From the year 1900 to 2009, there were a total of 59 attacks in North America, and most of them were in the remote areas of Canada and Alaska. These areas are hugely different surroundings than New Jersey making it infrequent for it to encounter people.
Typically, black bears, are timid when compared to brown bears, they flee or absolutely ignore people. Thus, the chance of a black bear killing a human in New Jersey is incredibly low.
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the Bears In New Jersey. I hope this article answered all your questions.
Thank You For Reading!
Our Goto Source For This Guide