STAY 🐾BEAR AWARE🐾
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From backyard visits to unexpected encounters, here's how to stay 🐾bear aware🐾 and help keep both people and wildlife safe.
New England's beautiful woodlands (especially in New Milford), open spaces, and natural surroundings are part of what makes our communities so special. They're also home to an increasingly familiar Connecticut resident: the American black bear!
While spotting a black bear can be an exciting experience, it's important to remember that these impressive animals are wild, powerful, and always searching for their next meal.
With fall underway, it's an especially important time to understand black bear behavior, recognize what attracts them, and know what to do if you encounter one.
WHY ARE BLACK BEARS SO ACTIVE IN THE FALL?
In the fall, black bears enter a natural biological state called hyperphagia, a period of increased appetite when they consume significantly more food than usual to build up the fat reserves needed to survive the winter.
According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), black bears can consume up to 20,000 calories or more per day during this feeding period! Acorns, berries, nuts, and other natural foods are important parts of the black bear diet.
Unfortunately, unsecured garbage, birdseed, pet food, and other human-related food sources can also attract hungry bears into residential neighborhoods. Once a bear discovers an easy meal, it may return again and again.
KEEP BLACK BEARS AWAY FROM YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS!
Secure your garbage.
➡️ Use bear-resistant containers, such as the BEARICUDA (as shown above), whenever possible and keep trash in a secure garage or enclosed area. Put containers outside on collection morning rather than the night before.
Remove bird feeders.
➡️ Even hummingbird feeders can attract bears, and spilled birdseed can continue to draw bears after feeders are removed.
Keep grills clean.
➡️ Leftover grease and food odors can attract unwanted visitors.
Bring pet food indoors.
➡️ Avoid leaving food bowls, treats, or other attractants outside.
Watch your compost.
➡️ Avoid adding meat scraps, sweet foods, or fruit peels that may attract bears.
Protect chickens, livestock, and beehives.
➡️ Properly installed electric fencing can help prevent bear-related damage.
Secure doors, windows, and vehicles.
➡️ Bears searching for food can enter unlocked homes, garages, and even cars.
🚫Intentionally feeding black bears is ILLEGAL in CT.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE A BLACK BEAR?
REMAIN CALM, AND KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.
⚠️ If a black bear is in your yard, or neighborhood:
➡️ Bring children and pets indoors and move to a secure location. Never approach, corner, chase, or attempt to photograph a bear at close range.
➡️ From a safe place, you may discourage a bear from remaining in your yard by making loud noises, such as shouting, clapping, or banging pots and pans. Always allow the black bear a clear escape route.
⚠️ If you encounter a black bear while hiking or enjoying the outdoors:
➡️ Stay calm. Do not approach the bear.
➡️ If it hasn't noticed you, quietly back away. If it is aware of your presence, make noise, wave your arms, and slowly retreat.
➡️ Never run from a bear or attempt to climb a tree to escape.
➡️ If the bear continues approaching, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recommends using bear spray. Anyone carrying bear spray should know how to use it before heading outdoors.
➡️ Keep dogs on a short leash, and never allow pets to chase or confront wildlife.
➡️ Black bear attacks on people are extremely rare, but bears can be unpredictable. In the rare event of a black bear attack, fight back aggressively rather than playing dead.
DID YOU KNOW? FIVE INTERESTING BLACK BEAR FACTS!
1. Bears have an incredible sense of smell.
Their powerful noses help them locate food from considerable distances, including food stored in garbage containers and outdoor grills.
2. Black bears are excellent climbers.
Don't be surprised to see one in a tree! Climbing is a natural behavior, especially for younger bears.
3. Not all black bears remain inactive during winter.
Although black bears typically spend much of the winter in dens, they may emerge during warmer periods.
4. Bears have remarkable memories.
A bear that finds food in a particular location may return months or even years later.
5. Ear tags don't necessarily mean a bear is dangerous.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) tags bears for research and monitoring. A tagged bear is not automatically one that has caused problems.
WHEN AND HOW TO REPORT A BLACK BEAR SIGHTING OR ENCOUNTER:
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), encourages residents to report black bear sightings to help wildlife officials monitor their population and activity.
➡️ Report a sighting online Connecticut DEEP's Wildlife Sighting Reporting page.
➡️ Questions or property damage: Contact DEEP's Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011.
➡️ Aggressive bear behavior or immediate wildlife safety concerns: Contact DEEP's 24-hour Emergency Dispatch at (860) 424-3333.
➡️ For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.
RESPECT WILDLIFE. PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
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Black bears are an important part of Connecticut's natural environment, and observing one from a safe distance can be a memorable experience. By securing potential food sources, giving bears plenty of space, and understanding how to respond to an encounter, we can all help reduce conflicts and protect our community.
Enjoy the natural beauty of New Milford, our neighboring communities, and New England beyond. Stay aware of your surroundings, and remember: keeping bears wild helps keep everyone safer!
