The DEP begins to receive regular reports of bear sightings, as well as complaints about bears.
Most complaints are of bears destroying bird feeders or raiding garbage cans.
Sightings and reports have become more numerous over the years because bears are becoming more numerous. Officers attempted to scare the bear, a young male weighing approximately 120 pounds, into the woods through the use of proven techniques. The bear failed to respond to rubber bullets fired at it and advanced towards the DEP Conservation Officer, at which time the bear was shot. This was a very unfortunate circumstance. Our primary concern in these situations is the safety of residents in the area.