Ursus americanus. Black bears are not very common in most of Connecticut, but their population is rising rapidly. Most Connecticut bears at present live in the northwestern corner of the state.
Are there bears in CT?
CONNECTICUT Black bears can be found throughout the state, and their population is on the rise, according to the latest data released by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
How many bears are there in CT?
Right now the state Department of Energy And Environmental Protection (DEEP) estimates our state has a population of roughly 1000 to 1200 bears, up at least 25% since 2018. Plus, DEEP reports in 2020 the state recorded more than 3500 human/bear conflicts, almost tripling the previous record from 2018.
Do grizzly bears live in Connecticut?
In the wake of the brutal and quite rare — grizzly bear attack at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming this week, it might be reassuring to readers that there are no grizzly bears in the woods of Connecticut or New York State.
Do mountain lions live in CT?
The official word is that mountain lions were declared extinct in Connecticut back in the late 1800s but sightings have become much more prevalent. … According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), there are simply no mountain lions in Connecticut but many people would disagree.
Why are there so many bears in Connecticut?
Why Are Bears in My Neighborhood? Many homes are in or near bear habitat. The bear population is healthy and increasing in Connecticut and sightings have become more common. Bears spend time in neighborhoods because food sources are abundant and easy to access (birdfeeders, garbage, open compost, grills, etc.)
Are black bears aggressive?
In most cases, black bears are relatively shy, only acting aggressively as a last resort. Nevertheless, the most effective way to avoid a bear attack is by preventing encounters in the first place. Just because black bears can be less dangerous than other large carnivores doesn’t mean fatal attacks don’t happen.
Are wolves in CT?
Connecticut has become home to the eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.) … And for anyone worried about encountering a gray wolf in Connecticut, Vann said there are no wolves in our state. The closest population is in Algonquin Park, Quebec, Canada.
What do bears eat in CT?
Bears are omnivorous; they eat grasses, forbs, fruits, nuts, and berries. They also will seek insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans. Bears occasionally will prey on small mammals, deer, and livestock.
What to do if a bear is in your yard?
Remain calm, talk to the bear in a calm voice (say ‘Hey bear, hey bear) and slowly back away and leave the area. If a bear approaches or follows you, make yourself look bigger by putting your arms above your head. Continue to repeat Hey bear in a calm voice and back away and leave the area while monitoring the bear.
Do fog horns scare bears?
Air horns are unproven in their effectiveness. High-pitched noises can arouse curiosity or irritate a bear. However, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife did recommend using air horns while hiking to scare aggressive bears away.
What does a red tag on a bears ear mean?
The Minnesota bear hunting season opens Saturday, Sept. 1, and the DNR is asking hunters to avoid shooting marked research bears. These bears are marked with distinctively large, colorful ear tags and have radio collars. … This research is not designed to evaluate mortality from hunting.
Are moose in CT?
While Connecticut’s moose population is mainly in the northwestern part of the state, they can be seen in eastern Connecticut as well.
Where do black bears go at night?
Seasons of the Bear Black bears are awake from spring through fall, and mostly asleep in winter, curled up in dens. Bears choose many different kinds of dens, including hollow trees, under fallen trees, excavated mounds, or in ‘nests’ under briar patches.
Is bear hunting legal in CT?
Bear Hunting Laws in Connecticut It is currently illegal to hunt or trap bears in Connecticut (Conn. Agencies Regs. 26-66- 3(f)). However, a person may kill a bear in self-defense if he or she reasonably believes it is going to kill or seriously injure anyone.
Are there lynx in CT?
Lynxes disappeared from Connecticut for decades until a set of lynx tracks were discovered in 2011. It now seems likely that there is a small breeding population of lynxes in Connecticut. Perhaps in the future we could see more of these graceful cats in our state!
Are coyotes in CT?
Eastern coyotes were first documented in Connecticut in the 1950s. Since then, they have expanded their range and are now common throughout the state.
Do Fisher Cats live in Connecticut?
Fishers found throughout eastern Connecticut are a result of natural range expansion. In 2005, Connecticut instituted its first modern day regulated trapping season for fishers. Most northern states have regulated fisher trapping seasons. Fisher fur is valuable, especially the smoother, more silky pelts of the females.
Do bears wander at night?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
What to do if you see a black bear?
Stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices.
How can I protect my house from bears?
The use of strong scent deterrents will help repel bears from trash cans. Spray the area with Ammonia or use a ready to spray repellent product like Expel Natural Animal Repellent Spray. Enclose your compost pile. Open compost piles, especially those that include kitchen scraps, are an irresistible to bears.
What smell do bears hate?
Bears Dislike the Scent of Anything Pine Related Including Pine Oil. While bears love anything sweet (yes, even honey) they have often been found to steer clear of anything pine-scented. Bears dislike the scent of any pine-scented cleaners that contain pine.
Can I hug a bear?
Bears are protective of their families, especially of their cubs. They travel and play together and give each other bear hugs. … Hugging your teddy bear may be the closest thing to hugging a real bear, but at least you know it’s a safe hug.
What time of day are black bears most active?
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Mating usually takes place in July. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer.
What is the deadliest animal in Connecticut?
The Most Dangerous Animals In Connecticut Today The most dangerous mammal is easily the black bear. These massive bears can weigh up to 500 pounds and run up to 35 miles per hour, but it’s estimated that there are only roughly 300 of these bears in the state.
Are there cougars in CT?
However, the species of large cat is not native to the state of Connecticut. In 2011, a young, male cougar was killed in Connecticut after traveling roughly 1,500 from South Dakota. … Cougars can be found wherever deer are found, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Are there Foxes in CT?
Vulpes vulpes. The red fox is widespread and abundant in Connecticut. The population that exists today is made up of hybrids, a result of interbreeding between native red foxes and the European red fox, which was introduced into the eastern coastal areas of the United States in the mid-18th century.
Do black bears travel at night?
Do black bears come out at night? Black bears typically continue to forage for food for an hour or two after sunset, but after that they like to find a comfortable spot to sleep for the rest of the night. So, they will come out a night, but they do so fairly early.
Are bears hibernating in CT now?
Bears typically den (hibernate) in fall (late October-early December) and emerge in spring (March-April). Some bears may not den at all if they continue to find sufficient food. Around homes, bears may scavenge for food in garbage containers and bird feeders and for pet and livestock food left outside.
What is the black bear population in CT?
Black bears occur throughout much of the state. In 2019, approximately 7,300 bear sightings from 150 of Connecticut’s 169 towns were reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division. Connecticut has a healthy and increasing bear population with the highest concentration in the northwest region of the state.
