Officials Say Bears Are Not Uncommon in Summer Months

Seeing a black bear saunter across your yard may seem out of the ordinary in the Philadelphia suburbs, but officials say it’s not uncommon for this time of the year.

While a black bear sighting in New Hope last Friday may have left some unsettled, Lower Bucks County Wild Life Conservation Officer Rick Macklem said that residents don’t need to be fearful.

“We only get one to two bears a year,” he said. “The beginning of June to the middle of July is mating season, and we usually get complaints around that time.”

The bear in New Hope, he said, hasn’t been sighted since Friday.

So far, Macklem said he’s received two complaints this year in lower Bucks County.

“Even though we don’t really have a bear population, they’re still passing thorough,” said Jerry Feaser, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Feaser said Bucks County is too populated to have a yearlong bear population, but sometimes bears from surrounding areas end up in the Philadelphia suburbs.

“It’s neighboring counties that have bear populations, and it’s not out of the ordinary that you’d see them (in Bucks County),” he said. “They follow some of those stream beds, creeks and rivers that flow in from surrounding counties to Philadelphia.”

He also said bears tend to cross the river from New Jersey—which has a larger bear population—to find new territory. But the bears usually return rather quickly once they discover there is a large population of people.

Although these bears are simply passing through, Feaser said it’s important to take the proper precautions so a passerby doesn’t stick around.

“Don’t provide a food source,” he said. “That’s been one of the biggest problems (in causing) people (to) think there is a growing population. These bears will find food and stick around.”

Upper Bucks County Wild Life Conservation Officer John Papson said residents should take down their birdfeeders.

“This time of year, birds have plenty to eat so you’re not really doing them a favor,” he said. “Once (bears) get the idea we’re going to feed them intentionally or unintentionally, they’re going to take advantage of it.”

In addition, residents should secure their trashcans.

“Just by moving the food sources you’re going to take away a lot of opportunity for them to get into trouble around people,” said Papson.

Papson said there are a few important things to note about the characteristics of black bears.

First, it is a misconception that they’re nocturnal. They could be out and about any time of the day.

Second, their eyesight is bad, but they do have keen senses of smell and hearing.

Papson said if you see a bear, you should move away slowly, yell at it and appear twice as big.

“Nine times out of ten, they’re going to take off,” he said.