In most situations, if left alone and given an avenue for escape, the bear will usually wander back into more secluded areas. However, at campsites and campgrounds bears can be attracted by poorly stored food and garbage. For example, a bear with green tags was handled in 2019, and one with orange tags was handled in 2018, regardless of age, gender, or reason for tagging. Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" to within a few feet of you when they feel threatened. Litter sizes range from 1 to 4 cubs, with litters of 2 or 3 being most common. Store livestock and pet foods in airtight containers and clean up any spilled feed. Do you need additional help and advice concerning nuisance wildlife? In 1997, the DEP received about 100 calls reporting bear sightings; in 2007, it received 2,000. The primary contributing factor to bear nuisance problems is the presence of easily-accessible food sources near homes and businesses. These are large and powerful animals with a stocky build and short thick legs. Black bears have 5 toes with large claws on all feet. Males may breed with several females, but are solitary in the non-breeding season. It can detect the slightest aroma of food, which may lead the bear to campsites and near homes. How Can I Protect Myself from Black Bears While Camping? A bear with a collar will also have ear tags. 1. limit the hunting of black bear in the first year to a rate that does not exceed 5% of the state ' s total black bear population as of October 1, 2017;. Other state wildlife agencies would also euthanize an aggressive bear that is a public safety concern. Listening to some talk, the state of Connecticut has a huge problem with a growing bear population in the state. Breeding occurs during summer, usually in late June or early July. DO remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs. However, they will go after pet rabbits in outdoor hutches. DEEP warns people to never feed bears, which are attracted to garbage, pet food, … Agile climber. In 2019, there were approximately 7,300 bear sightings across the … Cubs weigh 6 to 12 ounces at birth. Bear tracks somewhat resemble human tracks, but the front feet are shorter than the rear. It could be because it is not supported, or that JavaScript is intentionally disabled. Unlike grizzly bears, black bears are seldom aggressive toward humans. But food attractants near homes can cause them to grow habituated to humans and disturbances, such as dogs and other noises. Climatic factors, such as drought, may result in a food shortage, causing bears to travel many miles in search of food. What Should I Do if I See a Black Bear in My Yard? Most Connecticut bears at present live in the northwestern corner of the state. Connecticut has a healthy and increasing bear population with the highest concentration in the northwest region of the state. The bear learns to associate the undesirable behavior with a negative experience, and as a result, is more likely to avoid conflict in the future. 2016 CT.gov | Connecticut's Official State Website, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, ederal Aid to Wildlife Restoration - Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Program. According to DEEP, the state's bear population continues to grow and expand. DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile. Why Are Bears in My Neighborhood? DEEP Tranquilizing Teams, consisting of Environmental Conservation Police officers and wildlife biologists, are trained and equipped to immobilize wildlife. But the environment committee decided to hold off. If you surprise a bear at close range, walk away slowly while facing the bear. Zoos also do not have the capacity to take all problem bears that states deal with each year. There is sometimes a small, white patch on the chest. If people do not take precautions, problem behavior by bears can increase, possibly leading to bears being removed or destroyed. Never run or climb a tree. Relocation of Bears in Connecticut: Although heavily forested, Connecticut is a highly developed state. In 2019, approximately 7,300 bear sightings from 150 of Connecticut’s 169 towns were reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division. If you see a black bear in your yard, enjoy the sighting from a distance and report your sighting. Yes! Decreasing bear population: Total mortality, or off-take, as a proportion of the population could increase to greater than 13%. Adult females breed every other year, less often in poorer habitat. Bears in natural settings normally leave an area once they have sensed a human. Remove bird feeders from late March through November. The sexes are similar in appearance, although males are usually larger. Black bears are large - They have erect, rounded ears; a long, narrow, brown muzzle; and a short tail. The DEEP seldom relocates bears. Check out www.wildlifehelp.org and select "Connecticut" as your state to get started. Early spring is the time of year in which bear activity increases, and understanding that the vast majority of state residents are spending considerable amounts of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental … Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears. Bird feeders and other bird food will attract bears closer to homes and humans. With the number of bears increasing in the state, it is important for residents to learn the facts about black bears and how to coexist with them. After a mother bear was shot to death following a fatal attack on a small dog, Burlington officials in northwest Connecticut are looking at ways to curb the bear population in town. Black bears are good tree climbers and strong swimmers. Beginning in the 1980s, the DEEP Wildlife Division had evidence of a resident black bear population. Cubs remain with the female for 1 1/2 years. An exception may be made to remove a bear in an urban location when there is little likelihood that it can leave safely on its own and when the bear is in a position where it can be safely immobilized. If your dog is hiking with you, it is imperative that you keep the dog on a SHORT leash and DO NOT let it roam free – this is for the safety of your dog, yourself, and wildlife. In wilderness settings bears usually avoid people. The age when sows first produce cubs is related to the available food supply, but most begin to reproduce at age 3 or 4 and continue to have young every 2 years. As the bear population expands, interactions between humans and bears will increase. Ear tags help biologists track bear movements and dispersal. It may be a feel-good solution for a problem bear to be moved to a zoo or sanctuary, but that is easy to say and hard to do. While bears may at times … Proportion of adult males in the harvest can be low, even below 25%, with total female harvest rates going over 40%. Locomotion: Plantigrade (walks on whole foot). Anyone who observes a black bear … It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. Never intentionally feed bears. Their return is due, in part, to the regrowth of forestland throughout the region following the abandonment of farms during the late 1800s. Wetlands are particularly important in spring when emerging plants are one of the few available foods. DO protect livestock with electric fencing and move livestock into barns at night if possible. Instead, keep food in a secure vehicle or use rope to suspend it between two trees. When bears begin to use human-associated food sources, they will frequent residential areas, lose their fear of humans, and not flee when harassed. However, be sure you are not doing anything to attract the bear to your yard. In most hiking areas, bears normally leave once they have sensed a human. Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist the DEEP in monitoring changes in the black bear population. In 2019, there were approximately 7,300 bear sightings across the … Officials have estimated that approximately 700 black bears call Connecticut home, with that population growing approximately 10 percent annually. Color: Varies in color from black to brown; tan around the muzzle and occasionally has a white chest patch. © Females with cubs tend to have restricted home ranges which average 5 to 7 square miles in Connecticut, while males move about widely in home ranges of 12 to 60 square miles. They have a strong homing instinct and may return to where they were caught or become a problem somewhere else. Connecticut residents should take the following simple steps to avoid conflicts and problems with black bears: Bears are attracted to garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and birdfeeders. From 1700 to 1900, Connecticut’s herd hovered near complete extirpation, or local extinction. Store livestock food in airtight containers. Connecticut has a healthy and increasing bear population with the highest concentration in the northwest region of the state. Livestock can be protected with electric fencing or by moving them into a secure building at night. It may sound strange, but western CT is home to a growing population of American black bears. These are large and powerful animals with a stocky build and short thick legs. A bear’s tail is short, from 3 to 5 inches long. Bears have incredible long-term memory and will revisit places where they have found food, even months or years later. The remaining 25 percent of the funding is matched by the Connecticut Wildlife Division. The resident population is estimated to be in the hundreds. Removing food attractants, such as bird feeders, reduces the chance that bears will go near homes. Many homes are in or near bear habitat. If this happens, stand your ground and shout at the bear. Black bears occur throughout much of the state. DO keep dogs on a short leash and under control. It is illegal to hunt or trap bears in Connecticut. Bears are attracted by bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and berry-producing shrubs. Do not approach the bear so as to take a photo or video. Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist the DEEP in monitoring changes in the black bear population. Get the facts at ct.gov/coronavirus. Make sure your dog is on a leash and under control. When camping, sleep at least 100 yards from your cooking area and food storage site. The black bear is a stocky animal with short, thick legs. ; yearlings, 45 -100 lbs. COVID-19: Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and Connecticut's vaccination program. They also can run up to 35 miles per hour. Hike in groups. These methods may increase bird diversity and prevent unnatural feeding of a variety of wildlife species. DO  be offensive if the bear approaches you. Although most bears enter dens at some point, some can remain active for portions of or the entire winter season if food is available. After the bear leaves the property, remove anything that may have attracted it to the area. Young are born in the den during January or February and are blind, toothless, and covered with fine hair. Hawley explained that the signs of a growing bear population in Connecticut are obvious. But numbers don't lie. Once the bear has left the area, take a close look at your yard for potential bear food sources, such as birdfeeders, pet food, dirty barbecue grills, open compost, or trash, and REMOVE those food sources IMMEDIATELY. Click here for the latest updates on DEEP's response to COVID-19. A crowd of bystanders will only stress the bear and also add the risk that the bear will be chased into traffic or the crowd of people. Despite trapping and placement efforts by CT DEEP, and with no natural predator, the bear population in Connecticut is steadily increasing. Always be aware of your surroundings and if you happen to encounter a bear, follow the advice offered in the next question. DON'T leave pet food outside overnight. Females tend to remain in the den for a longer period of time than males. Aggression by bears towards humans is exceptionally rare. According to … Since then, bears have made a comeback. Bear activity increases in early spring, and many residents are reporting bear sightings in West Hartford. Bears prefer areas with thick understory vegetation and abundant food resources. They also will seek insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans. A typical Connecticut male black bear (boar) will weigh 150 to 450 lbs. Some of the features on CT.gov will not function properly with out javascript enabled. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder. and damage beehives. Aversive conditioning is a technique that uses negative stimuli (i.e., shooting with rubber bullets or paintballs, pepper spray, loud noises, etc.) Data collected from collars provide biologists with important information about the growth, movements, and health of Connecticut’s bear population. DON'T store leftover bird seed or recyclables in a porch or screened sunroom as bears can smell these items and will rip screens to get at them. 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