TRENTON, NJ — A proposed bill to restrict bird feeders during black bear season remains in limbo as lawmakers in Trenton work to reconcile language between Assembly and Senate versions.
Bill A360 in the Assembly and S765 in the Senate aim to reduce the risk of attracting black bears to populated areas by amending the state’s current law on feeding bears. The legislation would place seasonal restrictions on residential bird feeders from April 1 through November 30, the period when bears are most active.
Under the proposed rules, bird feeders would need to be suspended at least 10 feet off the ground, emptied or brought inside nightly, and the area below kept free of food debris.
The bill includes exceptions for agricultural use, licensed wildlife possessors, and the feeding of companion animals. Violators could face fines under the amended law.
Both versions of the bill have cleared their respective committees, but lawmakers are still working to reconcile the texts. A revised version may eliminate the bird feeder language entirely.
There is currently no timeline for when a final version of the legislation will be introduced for a vote by the full legislature.
Legislators are still negotiating key provisions of a bill designed to limit bear attractants, with bird feeders possibly being dropped from the proposal.