Reminder: Don’t Feed The Bears In New Jersey

It's that time of year again. Bears are getting hungry before hibernation. However here in New Jersey, residents are being reminded to Don't Feed The Bears!

According the the NJ Department Of Environmental Protection, Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. They are an integral part of the state’s natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems. Since the 1980s the Garden State’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range both southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. Within the most densely populated state in the nation, black bears are thriving and there are now confirmed bear sightings in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties. The DEP’s Fish and Wildlife personnel use an integrated approach in managing New Jersey’s black bear population, fostering coexistence between people and bears.

According the the NJDEP, Preventing problems with black bears is everyone’s responsibility!

The most common bear problem New Jersey’s residents experience is black bears getting into their garbage. Bears are attracted to neighborhoods by garbage odors, so properly securing your garbage is one of the best ways to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance in your community. Residents are encouraged to work within their community to make sure all garbage is secured and kept away from bears. Human garbage is attractive to black bears. When bears get into people’s garbage, they may be encouraged to return to the location because of the food reward. Bears that associate people with food may have to be trapped or destroyed.

ALSO SEE: The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off Is Coming Next Month!

Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers and keep the container outdoors if you live in an area frequented by black bears. Certified bear-resistant trash containers have passed a formal testing procedure and are proven to keep bears out. Certified containers offer the best protection.
Use certified bear-resistant community dumpsters in housing developments and gated communities.

Secure garbage cans
If not using certified containers, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them within a secure location where bears are unlikely to see or smell them. For example, leave garbage containers in your basement until morning of garbage collection. Note: Occasionally, bears have tried to enter buildings in search of food, so use caution.

Use a Bear Resistant Dumpster Enclosure
Garbage containers or dumpsters may be stored within Bear Resistant Dumpster Enclosures (BRDEs). These are fully enclosed structures consisting of four sides (i.e. solid panels or cyclone fencing,) eight feet high, and with a top of sufficient design (i.e. barbed wire or roof) constructed to prevent access by black bears.

Put out garbage the morning of collection day
Put out garbage as close to pick-up time as possible, not the night before.

Wash trash containers
Wash trash containers with a disinfectant solution at least once a week to eliminate odors. Examples of disinfectant solution include hot water and chlorine bleach or ammonia.

Secure & clean recycling containers
Store recycling containers in a secure building and only put them outdoors on the day of pick up. Empty recyclables, like beverage cans, bottles and food containers can attract bears.

To learn more about bear resistant products and techniques, click here.

In New Jersey, the Black Bears typically den (hibernate) in fall (late October-early December) and emerge in spring (March-April). Some bears may not den at all if they continue to find sufficient food. Around homes, bears may scavenge for food in garbage containers and bird feeders and for pet and livestock food left outside. So be vigilant!

Of the hundreds of New York Yankee Players, only a few good ones have been from Jersey. Here are the Top 5 Yankees Born In New Jersey. Ruth? Nope, Maryland. Gehrig? Na, New York City. How about Mick? Oklahoma, sorry. Joe D? California.

No most of the all-time great Yankees have come from other parts of the country. However, that's not to say other baseball greats haven't hailed from New Jersey. Take for instance the great Mike Trout of the Angels. As for the Yankees, we had to do a little stretching to find the top 5 born in New Jersey. Some were raised here as well, however, we went with born, for reasons you will see very soon.

Besides having some quality ball players born in the Garden State, there are some other links between Jersey and the Bronx Bombers. First and foremost, over the years dozens of Yankees have made their in-season and sometimes off-season homes here. Back in the 1970's, my hometown of Norwood, in Bergen County was in season home to the likes of Gene Michael, Catfish Hunter, Graig Nettles, and Yankee Captain Thurman Munson. The latter three all lived on the same street not far from my home. I'd see them from time to time and at the local convenience store or pizza place. Other in-season residents of Bergen County during that time included Willie Randolph, Lou Piniella, and Sparky Lyle.

Meanwhile, back in the 1950's Hall Of Famers Phil Rizzuto and Yogi Berra owned a Bowl-A-Rama bowling alley in Clifton, New Jersey!

It's no surprise that the Yankees of the past had ties to northern New Jersey, with the proximity to Yankee Stadium, lower state taxes, and a chance to have their families spend the summer in the burgeoning suburbs.

Now what about those notable Yankees that were born here in New Jersey? Here are 5 of the most accomplished!

The Captain. One of the greatest ball players of his generation, was indeed born in New Jersey. The Jeters lived in Pequannock until Derek was 4, when they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan of all places. Thankfully Jete made his way back to the East Coast to amass over 3000 hits, and 5 World Series championships as part of "The Core Four".

The original Jersey Shore Yankee, Leiter was a star for Central Regional High School before being a Yankee from 1987 through 1989. His best seasons came after that, with 2 World Series championships with the Toronto Blue Jays, another with the Florida Marlins, as well as a National League Championship run with the Mets, and a dominating game against the Yanks in the 2000 Subway Series. Al came back to the Yankees during his final season in the big leagues in 2005. 

Downing was a journeyman pitcher who played for an impressive 17 seasons, and was on hand for, or had a hand in some remarkable moments. He played with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris during their immortal 1961 season with the Yankees, leading to a his only World Series ring. However it is one moment in time Al Downing will be forever linked with. It came while he was pitching in the latter stages of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers...

Technically The Toddfather was born in Point Pleasant, but he is known as Toms River's finest for many reason. In the majors he enjoyed All Star Game success with the Cincinnati Reds, winning the Home Run Derby, and even got to play for the Yankees and Mets before his career wound down a couple of years ago. He's a pillar of the Toms River community, and is always seen at charitable functions, chatting with kids on the local sports fields, and even stopping by the Rat studios once in a while.

Oh yeah, and then there's that other memory that will live forever...

"Sauce" as he is known by teammates was born and raised in Toms River, and attended Toms River North High School. He has had an up and down start to his career as a Yankees relief pitcher, but Ron has the stuff to make it. this year he has spent time between the minor leagues and the big club.