I planned to write my next “Bird Watcher” column for The Record about proposed state legislation that in its original form would have restricted bird feeders in New Jersey at certain times of the year – with large fines for those who violated the provisions.

    But after several people asked me about this new legislation I decided I should write something right away.

   The important point: In the rewritten version of the bill, there are no provisions against putting up bird-feeders at certain times of year.

   Through an aide, Sen. Gordon Johnson of Englewood, one of the bill’s sponsors, issued this statement to me:

   "The bill, as written, is being amended to focus on bear-proof garbage cans and the bird feeder language will not be included in the final bill. The goal here is to prevent bears from integrating with the population to the extent possible, so we can keep communities safe while also ensuring a healthy environment for bears and other wildlife. I am fully committed to working with advocates, stakeholders, and legislators on how best to achieve this objective."  

    The staffer assured me yesterday (Friday, Nov. 23),  lawmakers are removing the bird-feeding restrictions from the bill.

       The confusion arose because the bill had been introduced with some controversial provisions, including ​​requiring state residents during the warmer months to suspend bird feeders at least 10 feet in the air, empty them nightly, and clear the area under them of food debris, with fines for non-compliance. 

     I am glad that the Legislature is amending the bill, but If you think you needn’t worry about bears at your bird feeders -- or in your backyard -- because it’s November, think again. This is especially true in areas where black bears have been reported recently.

   As some North Jersey residents have learned in recent days, these large mammals love to dine at bird feeders. And some bears are willing to bend an iron-pipe feeder pole or mangle the feeder to get to their meal.

   Once a bear raids your feeder, there’s a good chance that it will return for more. So, for your sake and your neighborhood’s, remove your feeder for a couple of weeks if a bear has been in your area.

    A hungry bear at a feeder is a potentially dangerous situation for both humans and bears.

    As Larry Hajna of the State Department of Environmental Protection explained to me several years ago:  “The more a bear equates a property with food, the more likely it is to hang around not just your house but your neighbors, and they become less afraid of humans. They can start looking for handouts, and when they do that they can become more aggressive.”

    Hajna said that could result in somebody getting hurt or in major property damage, and the bear could be euthanized. Bears that keep raiding feeders could be deemed nuisance bears, to be trapped and relocated -- expensive, and not so great for the uprooted bear.

     Most folks in bear country know these basics already, along with such fundamentals as securing their garbage cans.

   But bears can range into the suburbs, so other North Jersey residents need to be aware – and take down their feeders temporarily when needed.