Do Not Feed The Bears

Vernon Township Bear Ordinance #92-93

An Ordinance Prohibiting the Feeding of Bears in the Township of Vernon:

WHEREAS, an increase in the population of bears within the Township of Vernon has resulted in the presence of bears and raccoons in residential areas: and

WHEREAS, the presence of bears in residential areas is encouraged by the feeding of these animals; and

WHEREAS,  it is desirable to limit the access of food  for bears in residential neighborhoods.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Vernon as follows:

1.       It shall be unlawful to feed or bait bears in the Township of Vernon in any manner.

2.       Any person violating this ordinance shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00 and be subject to imprisonment in the Sussex County Jail or community service for not more than ninety (90) days.

3.       If any section of  provision of the ordinance shall be held invalid in any Court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall not affect the other sections or provisions of this ordinance, except so far as the section or provision so declared invalid shall be inseparable from the remainder of any portion thereof,

4.       All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

5. This ordinance shall take effect immediately after final passage and publication in the manner provided by law.

NOTICE

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DEP URGES NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS TO BE ALERT
BEARS ARE RE-EMERGING FROM WINTER HIBERNATION

(05/36) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell is urging residents of Northern and Central New Jersey to bear-proof the areas around their residences to prevent bear intrusions. Further, Campbell urges residents statewide to keep an eye out for bear sightings. As the weather continues to get warmer, black bears become more active searching for food and mates.

"Knowing how to prevent bears from coming close to your home is the first step toward safety," said DEP Fish and Wildlife Director Martin J. McHugh. "One of the best ways to discourage nuisance bears is by storing garbage properly, by keeping pets and livestock in enclosed areas, and by keeping all food products - like bird seed - away from wildlife. Taking preventive steps now can protect you and your family during the spring and summer months to come."

NEVER FEED A BLACK BEAR! It's dangerous and against the law.
Violators could face a penalty of up to a $1,000 for each offense.

Remember that reducing problems with bears is a community effort. Form a community group within your neighborhood to keep all residents safe.
 Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. Store all garbage in airtight containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed.
 Wash garbage containers frequently - at least once a week - with a disinfectant to eliminate odors. Draping bleach-soaked cloth over containers will also help to eliminate odors.
 Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before.
 Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles.
 Feed birds only between December 1 and April 1, when bears are in dens and less likely to visit feeders.
 Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding.
 Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears.

Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to the local police department or to the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793.

To learn more about New Jersey's black bears, visit the department's Web site at www.njfishandwildlife.com.
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Bear Information

Be a good neighbor... in Bear Country
By Mim Dunne, Educ. Supervisor, NJ Fish/Wildlife

Bear activity around Highland Lakes has been particularly
brisk this summer, with many residents reporting complaints about
bears in garbage and breaking into houses. All residents,
regardless of whether or not they've experienced problems with
bears, have a responsibility to themselves as well as their
neighbors, to keep their yard from becoming attractive to bears.
Garbage must be secured! Please use containers with
tightly-fitting lids, and keep them rinsed with bleach or ammonia so
the smell of garbage will not attract bears. Don't put your garbage
out in plastic bags -- by doing so you are violating both Vernon
Township and New Jersey Solid Waste Code, and may be subject
to a fine. Please put your garbage out the morning of garbage pick-
up, and not the night before. If you are a weekend resident, please
make arrangements with a neighbor to put your garbage out for you
if you have to leave before pick-up day. Please keep your garbage
stored in sheds, garages, or basements, or in bear-proof cans.
Several vendors sell bear-proof cans -- you can find information
about these vendors through the Division of Fish & Wildlife's
website (see address
below).
This is the time of year when bears are feeding heavily,
storing fat for their winter's rest. They are looking for fast food, and
unfortunately find it too easily in some communities.  If you feed
your pet outdoors, be sure to discard any food left in the bowl.
Many people enjoy feeding birds, but in Bear Country that comes
with added responsibility. The Division of Fish & Wildlife
recommends that you feed birds only during late December through
mid-March when the bears are not active. If you choose to feed
birds during spring, summer and fall months, feeders should be
taken down nightly. Even then there is residual birdseed scattered
on the ground that might attract bears. You may need to quit
composting your vegetable scraps, or install an electric
exclusionary fence, if bears have taken a liking to your leavings. Be
aware of anything left outside that could possibly be a food item --
containers of birdseed or livestock feed, barbecue grills, bushels of
apples, even bags of grass seed may be menu items for an
opportunistic bear.
 The sight of a bear should not be cause for alarm; it is a beautiful
animal that is enjoyable to watch. Their panhandling activities,
however, if encouraged by community residents, will ultimately be
destructive to both themselves and to people. Bears that are
acclimated to people will look for food in human communities. Don't
allow the bear to get comfortable in your yard; motion-sensing
devices connected to lights, horns, radios and water can be used to
move a bear from your property. If you see a bear in your yard,
hollering, banging pots and pans, and other loud noises will usually
persuade the bear to leave. If even one homeowner feeds a bear at
their residence -- even unwittingly -- the bear will associate all the
homes in that community with food. Bears displaying aggressive or
dangerous behavior will be destroyed. There is no second chance
for a bear that enters a home and destroys property. We all have a
responsibility for ensuring that they remain "wild" by not feeding
them -- intentionally or unintentionally.

For more information about living with bears, please visit
the Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association Club
Office and pick up "Living with Bears" brochure. For additional
information, please see the Division of Fish & Wildlife's website:
www.njfishandwildlife.com .