04-21-2005, 02:51 PM
As spring arrives in Connecticut, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds residents that this the time when black bears leave their winter dens. In late March through early April, residents begin to see and report bears and experience bear problems. Residents are encouraged to put backyard birdfeeders away and take steps to prevent conflicts with hungry bears after they leave their winter dens. Most complaints involve bears destroying bird feeders or raiding garbage cans. The number of sighting reports and complaints has increased every year as Connecticut’s black bear population continues to expand. The state has an estimated population of several hundred bears.
"As the bear population increases, conflicts with humans are inevitable. However, many of these conflicts are preventable," said Dale May, Director of the DEP Wildlife Division. "Most problems occur when bears are attracted close to homes by human-provided food sources. If bears find food rewards near homes, they can become habituated and lose their fear of humans. The best step in preventing problems with bears is to avoid intentionally or unintentionally feeding bears so that a healthy respect and distance is maintained between humans and bears."
Although black bears normally are rarely dangerous to humans, habituated bears that regularly approach houses can become a public safety concern and may need to be destroyed. Homeowners can often solve bear problems by simply removing food attractants that draw bears into populated areas. Occasionally, DEP personnel attempt to discourage persistent bears through negative reinforcement. These aversive conditioning efforts may include trapping and/or hazing bears with noise, pepper spray, and rubber buckshot.
Relocating problem bears is seldom a practical option. Other states with suitable bear habitat are already confronting frequent problem bears and, therefore, will not accept problem bears from Connecticut. Relocated bears often continue problem behavior. In addition, relocation is usually not effective because bears frequently return to the site of capture unless relocated more than 100 miles away.
Bears are more commonly seen in the northwestern part of Connecticut. However, sightings in the east and even further south are becoming more frequent. Bear sightings reported to the DEP have increased dramatically in the past decade, from an average of 90 sightings during 1996-1998, to nearly 300 in 2000, to over 600 in 2002, and at least 2,000 in 2004.
To avoid problems with black bears, follow these simple steps:
Take down, clean and put away bird feeders by late March. Store the feeders until late fall. Clean up spilled seed below feeder stations.
Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or storage area. Double bagging and the use of ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears. Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor. Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
Avoid leaving pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
Clean barbecue grills after use and store inside a garage or shed.
Avoid placing meat scraps, sweet foods and other leftover food items in compost piles.
Protect beehives, livestock and berry bushes from bears with electric fencing.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them to your yard for viewing.
"To assure the welfare of bears and the people who live near them, public tolerance and understanding of bears is critical," stressed May. "Learning to live with bears requires all of us to take the proper precautions for preventing problems."
The DEP Wildlife Division monitors the black bear population through sighting reports received from the public. Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on the DEP’s website ([url "http://dep.state.ct.us"]http://dep.state.ct.us[/url]), or call the Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods office, at (860) 675-8130 (Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM), or the DEP’s 24-hour dispatch line, at (860) 424-3333. Some bears have been ear-tagged for research. Information on the presence or absence of tags on bears is also valuable. To obtain informational fact sheets about bears, visit the DEP’s website or call the Sessions Woods office.
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"As the bear population increases, conflicts with humans are inevitable. However, many of these conflicts are preventable," said Dale May, Director of the DEP Wildlife Division. "Most problems occur when bears are attracted close to homes by human-provided food sources. If bears find food rewards near homes, they can become habituated and lose their fear of humans. The best step in preventing problems with bears is to avoid intentionally or unintentionally feeding bears so that a healthy respect and distance is maintained between humans and bears."
Although black bears normally are rarely dangerous to humans, habituated bears that regularly approach houses can become a public safety concern and may need to be destroyed. Homeowners can often solve bear problems by simply removing food attractants that draw bears into populated areas. Occasionally, DEP personnel attempt to discourage persistent bears through negative reinforcement. These aversive conditioning efforts may include trapping and/or hazing bears with noise, pepper spray, and rubber buckshot.
Relocating problem bears is seldom a practical option. Other states with suitable bear habitat are already confronting frequent problem bears and, therefore, will not accept problem bears from Connecticut. Relocated bears often continue problem behavior. In addition, relocation is usually not effective because bears frequently return to the site of capture unless relocated more than 100 miles away.
Bears are more commonly seen in the northwestern part of Connecticut. However, sightings in the east and even further south are becoming more frequent. Bear sightings reported to the DEP have increased dramatically in the past decade, from an average of 90 sightings during 1996-1998, to nearly 300 in 2000, to over 600 in 2002, and at least 2,000 in 2004.
To avoid problems with black bears, follow these simple steps:
Take down, clean and put away bird feeders by late March. Store the feeders until late fall. Clean up spilled seed below feeder stations.
Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or storage area. Double bagging and the use of ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears. Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor. Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
Avoid leaving pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
Clean barbecue grills after use and store inside a garage or shed.
Avoid placing meat scraps, sweet foods and other leftover food items in compost piles.
Protect beehives, livestock and berry bushes from bears with electric fencing.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them to your yard for viewing.
"To assure the welfare of bears and the people who live near them, public tolerance and understanding of bears is critical," stressed May. "Learning to live with bears requires all of us to take the proper precautions for preventing problems."
The DEP Wildlife Division monitors the black bear population through sighting reports received from the public. Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on the DEP’s website ([url "http://dep.state.ct.us"]http://dep.state.ct.us[/url]), or call the Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods office, at (860) 675-8130 (Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM), or the DEP’s 24-hour dispatch line, at (860) 424-3333. Some bears have been ear-tagged for research. Information on the presence or absence of tags on bears is also valuable. To obtain informational fact sheets about bears, visit the DEP’s website or call the Sessions Woods office.
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