10/06/2025
¡CUIDADO CON LOS OSOS! 🐻
BE BEAR AWARE! 🐻
Black bear sightings are becoming more frequent across Connecticut, especially in residential neighborhoods, and even on Main Street. Most conflicts stem from bears finding easy access to human-related food. Once they associate people with food, they may lose their natural wariness and start frequenting homes or businesses. To keep both people and bears safe, it's essential never to feed bears, on purpose or by accident.
Here are some important dos and don’ts to help reduce the risk of unwanted bear encounters:
✅ DO:
- Store garbage in a secure location like a garage or shed. To deter bears, consider adding ammonia to your trash.
- Keep home and garage doors closed, especially at night.
- Take down bird feeders and remove birdseed from late March through December.
- Clean grills after use and store them indoors if possible. Propane tanks should stay outside.
- Walk dogs on a short leash and under supervision to avoid bear-dog conflicts.
🚫 DON’T:
- Leave food outside — this includes pet food, meat scraps, or sweet items in compost.
- Keep birdseed or recyclables on porches or screened-in areas. Bears can easily tear through screens.
- Attempt to photograph or approach a bear. Give them space and stay safe.
- Ever feed a bear — doing so endangers your safety and theirs.
📞 If you spot a bear in a populated area, call the DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM) or DEEP Dispatch at 860-424-3333 (24/7). Simply seeing a bear doesn’t always signal danger, but it’s important to report sightings to help officials track and manage bear activity.