Common Sense Tips for the New Jersey Skylands Region

Anyone visiting the Skylands Birding and Wildlife Trails (SBWT) should be well aware of the following:

1. You are in bear country. Just about any site on the SBWT holds the potential for seeing black bear. Give bears a wide berth, especially adults with cubs, as they may be fiercely protective. For everything you need to know about New Jersey bears visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm.
2. You are in tick country. From earliest spring to latest fall, ticks are found throughout New Jersey. Use repellent, wear a hat, stay on trails or roads and wear light color clothing so ticks are easy to spot. Check for ticks regularly throughout the day.
3. There are poisonous northern copperhead snakes throughout the Skylands region and timber rattlesnakes are found in Sussex and Warren counties. Keep your distance if you spot one. Be especially alert on trails and near rocky outcroppings.
   
   A visitor to the Skylands, on average, is not likely to see a bear or a snake. Just be prepared and if you do encounter either of these fascinating species, use common sense and observe from a distance. We wish we could say the same about the ticks. But don’t let these warnings stop you from visiting this beautiful area of the state.