[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]
Bears have been spotted in Burlington (Medford) and Camden (Waterford) Counties in New Jersey. What’s a person to do. Here is a “green info box from the Courier-Post and the N.J Department of Environmental Protection.
DEP BEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
• If you encounter a bear, try to remain calm. Never run from it. Instead, try to avoid eye contact and back away slowly.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, clapping your hands, or banging pots and pans. If you are going to be in known bear country, it would be a good idea to carry an airhorn.
• 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.
• If a bear starts snapping its jaws and swatting the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Again, do not run. Slowly back away.
• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare, but if one does attack, fight back.
• Report any damage done by a bear or nuisance beahvior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at (877) 927-6337.