No Lions Or Tigers, Yet.......

[stupe]

Hang that food, New Jersey hikers.......

TRENTON: BEAR WARNING ISSUED State wildlife officials warned New Jersey residents in all 21 counties to be alert for black bears. This year, bears have been seen walking through neighborhoods and backyards in Hudson, Middlesex and Sussex Counties and swimming in Sandy Hook Bay in Monmouth County. Wildlife officials received 487 bear complaints between Jan. 1 and May 9, more than twice the number received during the same period last year. Officials warn that bears are attracted to food in trash and pet food left outside. (AP)

[stupe]

VERNON, N.J. -- A township police officer fatally shot a 100-pound black bear after he and another officer responded to a woman's call that two bruins had broken into her kitchen.
Here's the link, a pretty funny story ( towel clad woman throws shoe at bear ), but with a tragic ending.
http://www.wnbc.com/news/4583927/detail.html
The same page has an interesting photo gallery of bears in back yards and on porches and decks, eating out of bird feeders, etc.

[A-Train]

Yep, they have been out this year and creating lots of noise in towns specifically in Warren and Sussex counties, but stretching further. I've had 5 sightings in the past 10 days and 2 were WAY too close for comfort.

[Tha Wookie]

Humans have been spotted in bear neighborhoods, making dens, and shooting innocent hungry bears for eating.