Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to bears. Promptly report road-killed deer to ensure their quick removal. New York's and New Jersey's bear populations have been increasing for years, and as a result bears and people are coming into contact more frequently. These encounters are occurring because human developments are encroaching into bear habitat and some bears have learned to associate residential areas with food.
Chance encounters in the field also appear to be more common than before in some areas.
Black bears needn't be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless. They simply need to be respected. Black bear aggression is most often the result of a human threatening a bear, its cubs or a nearby food source, and the best reaction is to reduce that threatening appearance by leaving the area in a quiet, calm manner. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover your presence.