New Jersey bans intentionally feeding black bears statewide, with a civil penalty up to $1,000. This applies across Passaic County, including bear-active western townships like West Milford and Ringwood. Municipalities may add rules for other wildlife.
Under N.J.S.A. 23:2A-14, no person may intentionally feed, place, or scatter edible material or attractants to feed, attract, or entice a black bear, or store garbage or pet food so as to result in bear feeding where bears are known to frequent. Passaic County's western townships (West Milford, Ringwood, Wanaque) sit in prime bear habitat, so this ban is actively enforced there by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. Unintentional feeding is exempt. For other wildlife such as deer, geese, or feral cats, some municipalities adopt local no-feeding ordinances. The county itself does not issue wildlife-feeding rules.
Intentional bear feeding carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each offense, enforced by NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation officers.
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See how Passaic County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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