Cunning Bear Hides in Crawl Space During New Jersey Hunt
OutdoorHub Reporters 12.20.13
One bear in Hopatcong, New Jersey found a way to duck out during the state’s six-day bear season, as well get an early start on his hibernation. According to the Associated Press, a house cleaner discovered the animal when preparing a vacant home to be sold on December 13. The estimated 350-pound male black bear was living in a small crawl space and was in no mood to move.
Dozens of bears are found loitering near houses, cabins, and sheds every year in the state. The efficient insulation of these buildings and easy access to den material can be tempting to bears preparing to enter hibernation. This opportunistic bear managed to avoid most of bear season by hiding in the last place hunters are likely to look, but the home’s owners are less than enthusiastic about the “improvements” it made to the house. The Newark Star-Ledger reported that the bearn dug through the crawl space and under the house, and ripped insulation out of the walls. Feces also littered the entrance to the crawl space.
The cleaner notified the Hopatcong Police Department, which in turn called for a representative from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. A wildlife conservation officer was sent to the house and ousted the bear, although the officer noted that the animal was lethargic and not too happy with being evicted. Currently officials are keeping an eye on the house and have promised to relocate the animal if it returns.
