Crime & Safety

Area Bears Wake After A Long Slumber

Black Bear sightings have increased across the region, state DEP offers tips on dealing with our furry friends.

After a snowy winter there are some hungry bears that are making their way out into the sun for the first time in a while. That could mean visitors to your yard.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitors reports of black bear activity in Connecticut. According to the listing of bear reports received by the DEP-wildlife division from April 4, 2010 to April 3, 2011 there have been 120 sightings in Simsbury, 134 in Avon, 107 in Canton, 53 in East Granby, 66 in Farmington, 93 in Granby, 14 in Southington and 20 in West Hartford. 

At the top of the list was Torrington with 168 sightings. Several towns — such as Berlin, East Windsor, Fairfield, Hartford and Manchester — reported only one sighting during that time. In all there have been 2,634 sightings reported in the state during the past year.

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To see the full list or to make a report of a sighting click here.

The DEP has a few pointers to make co-existence with our large friends a bit better.

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  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • When you’re out hiking or walking the trails, make your presence known by making noise and waving your arm if you see a bear.
  • If you come in close proximity to a bear walk away slowly, and never run as this could trigger a chase/prey drive.
  • Keep your dogs on a leash and under control. A dog running might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs.
  • To make your yard less attractive to bears and other species of wildlife keep garbage inside a shed or garage. If you don’t have a shed or garage add ammonia to the trash to make it unpalatable.
  • Remove bird feeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder. During the warmer months there is a bountiful amount of food for the birds.
  • Secure your garages and sheds. These are places where not only the garbage and recycle bin may be, but other food sources as well such as food for your pet. 
  • Store livestock food in airtight containers. Clean up any spilled feed
  • Do not put meats or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce the smell and discourage bears.
  • Thoroughly clean grills after use or store in a garage or shed.
  • Never intentionally feed bears. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals.
  • Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.

If you see a bear on your property you can leave the bear alone and wait for it to leave or make loud noises from a safe distance to attempt to scare the bear away. After the bear leaves the property, remove anything that may have attracted it to the area.

According to the DEP, bears rarely harm cats or dogs. However, they will go after pet rabbits in outdoor hutches.

Adult males can weigh between 150 to 450 pounds, females weigh between 110 to 250 pounds. Yearlings weigh 45 to 100 pounds. They can run up to 35 mph and are agile climbers.

The DEP reports that black bears can detect the slightest aroma of food. They travel and feed primarily at night, but can be active any time of the day.

Black bears are not classified as true hibernators but their body temperature is lowered and heart rate slowed during winter denning. In Connecticut, most bears den from late November through mid-March. Females tend to remain in the den for a longer period of time than males.

If you have further questions you can contact Granby Animal Control through the Department of Police Services at 860-844-5335.  In East Granby call 860-653-4956 for East Granby Animal Control.


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