HARTFORD, CT — With spring in full swing and bear activity on the rise, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Audubon Connecticut are urging residents to take proactive steps to avoid dangerous encounters with black bears.
Officials are stressing one key message: do not feed bears. This includes removing bird feeders, securing household trash, protecting livestock, and properly storing pet food. Bear-related home entries have sharply increased in recent years.
In 2023 alone, DEEP recorded 67 residential bear entries across the state—up from fewer than 10 reported a decade ago.
DEEP says bears are highly intelligent, strong, and inquisitive.
When they associate human environments with food, they become repeat visitors and can quickly lose their natural wariness. This bold behavior puts both bears and people at risk.
To help residents mitigate bear encounters, DEEP offers an online guide, Living with Black Bears, which outlines best practices for bear-proofing yards, securing chicken coops, and protecting pets.
Officials emphasize that black bears play a vital role in Connecticut’s ecosystems. But human behavior will ultimately determine whether increasing bear populations coexist safely with residential communities.
