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 usually afraid of humans, however, if they regularly find food near houses or 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: March2026
