Black Bears in Connecticut/Report a Black Bear Sighting
Black Bears have established a presence in Connecticut, in recent years, even in heavily populated residential areas. Here are a few facts about bears from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, that Connecticut residents should be aware of.
Connecticut enacted a new law regarding black bears on October 1, 2023, see the link on the State of Connecticut website for more details on the law and a list of Frequently asked Questions (FAQs): Bear Law FAQs (ct.gov)
FACTS:
- Black bears have a keen sense of smell and hearing
- Black bears travel and feed primarily at night, but can be active any time of the day
- Black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually afraid of humans, however, if they regularly find food near houses and areas of human activity, they can lose their fear of humans
- Unlike grizzly bears, black bears are seldom aggressive towards humans
- Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour
TO AVOID ATTRACTING BEARS:
- Discontinue feeding of birds from late March through November
- Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable
- Do not leave pet food outside overnight
- Thoroughly clean grills and store away after use
- Never intentionally feed a bear
- Do not put meat or sweet foods in compost piles
IF YOU SEE A BEAR WHEN HIKING OR CAMPING:
- Make noise and wave your arms to make your presence known
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control
- Walk away slowly if you surprise a bear nearby
- Don’t cook food near your tent or store food inside your tent
- Don’t climb a tree, but wait in a vehicle or building for the bear to leave
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING BLACK BEARS AND TO REPORT BEAR SIGHTINGS:
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection – The Basics of Living with Black Bears: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Bears/The-Basics-of-Living-with-Black-Bears
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SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: April2025
