Outdoors This Weekend? What You Need To Know About Bears

Although Police Chief James Batelli says there have not been an "inordinate" number of bear sightings in Mahwah so far this year, more Mahwah residents may be heading into areas where bears are more prominent during the holiday weekend.

Here is what you need to know about encountering a big, furry surprise:

1. Do not feed the bears. Black bears learn very quickly and those that come to associate food with people may become aggressive, and thereby dangerous.

2. Take down bird feeders in the summer months. If you feed cats or dogs outside, only do so during the day, and take the food and containers inside at night. 

3. Store your garbage in airtight containers, in an area away from doors to the garage or basement. Wash trash containers weekly with a disinfectant solution to remove food odors.

4. If you see a bear, remain calm and keep your distance. Alert the bear to your presence by clapping or talking. If the bear does not leave, slowly back away, avoiding eye-contact. From a distance, bang pots or use an air horn to scare the bear away. 

5. If a bear becomes a constant nuisance or is responsible for continued damage problems, contact the Black Bear Response Unit at 908-735-8793. After business hours call the Mahwah Police Department at 201-529-1000 or the toll-free  NJ Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 877-WARN DEP (877-927-6337).