Bears

[thomaskgrosvenor]

Anyone want to share bear stories, e.g., run-ins with bears, dealing with bears, avoiding bears and or tips for safe bear-encounter-free shoreline fishing in NJ.

[Skunk City]

For as much as I am on the water and in the woods in Northern Jersey, I have only had 1 Bear encounter. Did a late night kayak trip on Lake Hopatcong, launching at a small, little known public park. Paddled out around 7pm, picked up a few fish, then started paddling back around midnight. Upon coming up to the small inlet to the back cove where my truck was, I heard a huge splash in the water, much bigger than any fish (was thinking swimmer/dog). I put my headlamp on and no more than 10ft from me was a Bear about 3ft off the shoreline standing in a foot of water. It was blocking my access route to my truck with the only way there through him. I immediately backed off to a safe distance and proceeded to clap my hands, yell, slap my paddle into the water, etc., but this guy was frozen in place and not moving. We had a "standoff" for about 10 minutes until a car drove by the area and spooked him. He ran back ashore and hauled ass into the night. I waited it out for another 10 minutes, then set my truck alarm off to make sure he didn't run towards the truck. I never saw him again.

[Eskimo]

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I don't do much shore line fishing any more so I rarely encounter bears.

There was a time when the Delaware Water gap was insane. Somehow, PETA got a hold of Governor Corzine and he stopped bear hunting in New Jersey.

The Gap was over-run with bears that were very hungry and showed little fear of people. Being in the Gap after sundown was like finding yourself in the zoo on the wrong side of the cages. Nobody in their right mind would fish from the shoreline in the evening unless they were with a group of people.

Eventually Gov. Christie restored the bear hunt and things are a lot safer, although I do kind of miss seeing the bears all the time.

Here's a pic I took a few years ago of a bear looking over my shoulder while I fished.




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[UglyStick]

I live out in Sussex county and I see bears on my property nearly every day in the summer. It's not uncommon for me to walk out of my house or around the corner of my house and be within a few yards of one.

My best story to date was a few years ago I was out in my driveway working on a trailer. I was down on one knee using a power grinder for several minutes. When I stopped and shut the grinder off, I felt something on the back of my neck. I turned my head to find an adult bear was standing directly behind me with his head about 6 inches from my ear... it was him breathing on my neck I felt. When I turned my head head I was obviously startled and let out a sudden gasp which startled the bear causing him to jump back several feet. Me still down on one knee and him standing about 6 feet back we stayed like that looking at each other for about 30 seconds. I finally clapped my hands and yelled, "Come on, go..." and he slowly turned around and walked off back into the woods. True story...

[buzzbaiter]

Being 100% shore guy and somebody who likes to fish alone miles from crowds, I see them quite a bit. Some scary moments along the way both with bears following me or encounters with moms & cubs. I do think about it more than I used to but it doesn't stop me other than maybe not as many dawn/dusk trips which is when bears are most active(crepuscular) or avoiding high forage areas like blueberry bushes along lakes & streams at that time of year. Most times they are more afraid of you and they'll run off. Other times they are either curious or territorial and will come closer. All I know is - and I know it goes against instinct - is DON"T RUN. Slowly back away, avoid staring and you should be fine. Once they are out of sight, then get to safety quickly. Most "wild" bears - i.e ones not used to people - will avoid you. I've bumped into 500-600 lbers on trails that ran from me which I found funny. I'm the one standing there pee running down my leg yet they run away. lol If they get too close, then you go into self preservation mode where you basically do everything you can - scream, yell, jump, clap, etc. - to avoid being hurt. I would suggest safety in numbers and always carry a whistle or air horn. They hate noise.

U can also avoid high bear density areas. DWGNRA, Worthington, Norvin Green, AS Hewitt & Stokes Forests, Swartswood & High Pt State parks are the highest pop areas as well as areas around the mt areas of eastern Sussex(Sparta)/northern Morris(Jefferson) and western Passaic(West Milford). Those areas are loaded.

[jmurr711]

ran into one at a rest stop once very awkward

[The Birdman]

While trolling salmon at Wawayanda in May I witnessed a Coyote go after someones dog on the swimming beach. The owner had to chase it away with a big stick.

Wawayanda has tons of bears. The newark watersheds also have LOTS of bears. I usually see them at least 4-5 times / year from my boat.
In June, we witnessed a full grown bear swim straight across Clinton res.

[briansnat]

I've seen a a dozen or so while fishing, mostly from a boat. Only once while I was stream fishing.

I never had a "run in" while fishing. They tend to go the other way when they notice you. But if you do encounter an aggressive one, do not run, even if they charge (it's usually a bluff). Back slowly away while talking calmly. Make yourself as "big" as possible, for example if you have a net and rod, hold them out so you look larger (they have pretty poor eyesight). When you get to the car, change your underwear.

[thyer]

Fishing at Ramapo lake one morning. I hike up to lake and proceed on the walking path across the dam. Distance between the path and the water isn't more than 20 feet. I stop by one spot along the shore and start setting up my float tube. I got startled by someone, something walking across the path back into the woods. It was a bear that must have been having a morning drink while I walked right by him and I never saw him.

[NickN]

Saw 3 on the Big Flatbook last night. They are all over the place up there.