Be Aware of the Bears!

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a press release reminding residents to take steps to reduce contact and conflicts with bears.  

The state’s increasing population of bears and their emergence of from their winter hideaways in search of food makes the backyard a likely place for run-ins with a bear. 

The population is estimated to be between 300 to 500 and in 2010 the DEP received over 3,000 bear sighting reports from 115 of the state’s 169 towns, according to the release.  

The DEP has received some calls this spring but there have not been any sightings in New London or Middlesex counties yet, said Paul Rego a wildlife biologist with the DEP, who said that the northern, forested parts of the state is where most of the sightings occur. One sighting of a black bear was seen in New London last year, according to the department’s website. 

Rego said that the re-forestation of the state has caused a population upsurge of bears. 

Stonington, Ledyard and Mystic have seen plenty of bears in recent years, according to Maggie Jones, executive director of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. But, she said the calls have decreased because bear sightings are more commonplace. 

“We used to get so many calls we could actually track the bears’ movement,” she said of years past. “Now we usually get a couple reports a year.” 

Jones said the same thing happened when wild turkeys and fishers populated the state.

The DEP now acknowledges that the novelty of the bear population has worn off and residents should learn to live with them. 

“As Connecticut’s bear population continues to grow, residents of our state should familiarize themselves with steps they can take to avoid contact with this species,” said Susan Frechette, deputy dommissioner of the DEP.  

Jones said that black bears’ eating habits resemble those of a raccoon, skunk and possum. 

“Most unwanted contacts occur when bears are attracted close to homes by food – such as bird feed, refuse and residue on grills – that is made available to them,” according to Frechette, who also warned of more serious problems such as “habituated bears that have lost their fear of humans.” 

The DEP said that best method to prevent problems with bears is to avoid feeding them by taking down bird feeders in the spring, summer and fall and to keep garbage cans in a shed or a garage or tightly secured. Also, outdoor grills should be cleaned after each use. 

The DEP encourages residents to take the following simple steps to avoid problems with black bears:

1. Never intentionally feed bears. 
2. Take down, clean, and put away birdfeeders by late March. Store the feeders until late fall. Clean up spilled seed below feeder stations. 
3. Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or storage area. Double bagging and the use of ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears. Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor. Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before. 
4. Avoid leaving pet food or dishes outdoors at night. 
5. Keep barbecue grills clean. Store grills inside a garage or shed.
6.  Avoid placing meat scraps or sweet foods in compost piles. 
7. Protect beehives, livestock, and berry bushes from bears with electric fencing. 
8.  Keep dogs on a leash outdoors. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs. 

Jones said that black bears are “fairly skittish” and advised,  “don’t play dead, keep your distance and increase that distance.” 

The DEP advised hikers to find an alternate hiking route and to keep a clean campsite, and make sure food and recommended keeping garbage and food in a sealed and contained area like in a cooler in the trunk of a car. 

Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on the DEP’s online Black Bear Reporting Form or call the Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods office at 860-675-8130.  Some bears have been ear-tagged for research.  Information on the presence or absence of tags, including tag color, letters and numbering is particularly valuable.