More than 3,000 bears call the Garden State home and some of them are making their presence known earlier and more often this year.

Residents along Pine Street in Newton woke up Thursday to see a large bear in their neighborhood. Wildlife experts say it appears the bears are coming out of their hibernation and looking for food earlier than in past years.

Police officers in Newton carry special bear kits. The kits have non-lethal tools designed to force the unwanted visitors back into the woods.

Wildlife experts say to keep bears from searching for food in residential areas, residents should only throw out trash right before it gets picked up. Experts also say residents shouldn?t leave birdfeeders out.

Experts from the state Fish and Game Council say the increase in bear complaints can be blamed on the canceled bear hunt this year. They say a hunt is the only way to properly manage the growing bear population.

Related Information:Bear Facts for New JerseyDepartment of Environmental Protection